Nationwide HPV Vaccination Drive to Target Adolescent Girls

The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is set to launch a nationwide Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination programme targeting girls aged 14 years. The vaccination will be voluntary and free of cost, ensuring equitable access across socio-economic groups.

Vaccine Details and Global Partnership

India will use Gardasil, a quadrivalent HPV vaccine that protects against:

• HPV types 16 and 18 – responsible for most cervical cancer cases
  
• HPV types 6 and 11 – linked to genital warts
  

The vaccine is approved by India’s drug regulator and widely used internationally. Supplies have been secured through India’s partnership with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, ensuring affordability and availability. 

Implementation Strategy

• Vaccination will be carried out only at designated government health facilities.
  
• Administered in the presence of trained medical officers.
  
• Health-care teams will monitor for Adverse Events Following Immunisation (AEFI).
  
• India will adopt a single-dose regimen, in line with recommendations from the World Health Organization.
  

This approach aims to maximise coverage while maintaining safety standards. 

Why HPV Vaccination Matters

Medical evidence shows that nearly all cervical cancer cases are caused by persistent infection with high-risk HPV types, especially 16 and 18, which account for over 80% of cases in India.

• Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among Indian women.
  
• India reports nearly 80,000 new cases and over 42,000 deaths annually.
  

In the WHO’s South-East Asia Region, India contributes over 65% of cervical cancer cases.

Source: TH