India government is all set to launch a free HPV Vaccination drive for teen girls. The vaccination will be provided to 1.5 crore girls who are turning 14 this year, which is free of cost. India will use Gardasil, which is an equivalent dose of HPV Vaccination and a proven medicine to prevent HPV types 16 & 18 that lead to cervical cancer in women. This medicine will provide maximum prevention benefit, before the virus spreads in the body, as ensured by the Health Minister. The vaccine programme is voluntary and equally accessible to every teen girl in India. Let’s dive into this government HPV vaccine initiative to combat cervical cancer.
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Complete Highlight of the HPV Vaccination Campaign-
- The government of India implemented a nationwide programme to prevent one of the dangerous forms of cancer that is cervical cancer.
- The Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched the Gardasil 4 HPV Vaccines by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare under the “Swastha Nari” programme.
- According to the Health department, “Over 1 crore doses are available, by targeting 1.15 crore adolescent girls of 14-yrs-old.
- The programme will be supported by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance and the WHO. It will be carried out for 90 days on a daily basis, possibly in March.
- Moreover, authorities will track the vaccine beneficiaries under the U-WIN digital platform, earlier known as Co-WIN.
- On 28 Feb 2026 at 11.30 am (morning) in Ajmer (Rajasthan), this drive was launched officially, with the honourable PM Narendra Modi and other government officials who will grace the event.
Why Free HPV Vaccination Drive Matters for India?
The recent statistics from the WHO reveal that India ranks second in cervical cancer, especially in Indian women.
PM Narendra Modi has repeatedly emphasised the importance of taking steps against it as there are more than 1,00,000 new cases every year, and 70,000-79,000 deaths due to neglect of HPV and the high-risk types of HPV 16 and 18, which are responsible for more than 80% of cervical cancer cases, about 20-25% in the world is singly owned by India.
Understanding HPV and Why it is Dangerous?
Human Papillomavirus – HPV is a group of viruses (approximately 199+) that can either be eliminated on its own or can grow to a dangerous disease like cancer. It is mainly caused by participating in sexual activities such as vaginal, anal, or oral sex or by the person who has touched the HPV affected patient. Although most cases are benign and self-limiting, some high-risk virus types can be severe or cause about 40 different cancer cells, such as cervical, anal, and throat cancers. These viruses tend to evade or attack the immune system upon entry, causing warts or cancer cells.
In the initial two years, no symptoms are shown. But the virus-affected areas may develop warts in the intimate areas.
- HPV 6 & 11 are low-risk types of HPV that may cause warts on the genital parts, skin or mouth.
- HPV 16 & 18 are the primary cause of cervical cancer, that are found more in women.
As per the health experts, the HPV vaccines should be given to 14-year-old girls in India, as this will provide them with long-term protection by boosting their immunity against high-risk HPV and ensuring that they do not evade the immune system, which can turn into cancerous cells.
Gardasil: Ultimate Shield from HPV-
GAVI (Global Alliance for Vaccines & Immunisation) is an organisation that has partnered with India for HPV Vaccine programmes and other nations to provide funds for vaccinations and medicines, focusing on the objective of “zero dose for children to provide vaccine”, in collaboration with the WHO.
This HPV quadrivalent vaccine protects against these important strains of HPV that encompass low-risk types, i.e. HPV 6, 11 and high-risk types such as HPV 16, 18, made to decrease the burden of cervical cancer by providing the principal preventive benefit.
In the recent programme, the government has prepared more than 1 crore Gardasil for 1.2 crore adolescent girls for the first two years.
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Implementation of the Vaccine Programme-
Under the Vaccination programme of HPV by the Ministry of Health, all adolescent girls across the country will receive a single dose of the Gardasil-4 vaccine. These doses are available at the assigned health centres that you can check out at U-Win platform.
These vaccination sites will be equipped with a Cold Chain Point (CCP) to ensure safe vaccine storage. Also, a dedicated team of medical officers will be provided to monitor and manage the campaign and AEFI (Adverse Events Following Immunisation).
AEFI Awareness: Recent Incident of HPV Vaccine in a Bihar School-
On February 10 2026, Panic erupted when more than half a dozen girls fainted at the Upgrade High School in Jokhihat when a team from Referral Hospital (Jokhihat) arrived to give vaccinations to 14-year-old girls. The incident occurred when 25 to 30 girls were vaccinated, and suddenly, 6 of them fell, which created panic among the students. Later, these girls were admitted to Sadar Hospital for better treatment. The hospital administration immediately responded to the situation, and all girls were secured as the condition happened because the girls were empty stomach while they were getting the HPV Vaccination or they experienced anxiety. Moreover, they stated that if there was anything wrong with vaccines, it may happened to other girls too. The authority also said that 4 girls fainted due to bewilderment. About more than 5,000 adolescent girls have got their HPV Vaccines till now.
How Your Girl Can be Part of this HPV Vaccine Drive?
Most probably, next month (March 2026), the GOI will start enrolling the 14-year-old girls who will continue for the next three months in an intensified mode, as per sources from the Union Health Minister.
- At the time of registration, parents’ or guardians’ approval is required before giving the vaccination.
- The faculty may organise councils or awareness for this purpose.
- The vaccines will be available at designated health centres daily to reach all the adolescent girls of all sections of society.
- Using the U-WIN App, girls of the eligible age, i.e. 14 years, can book their slot at their nearest centres: Ayushman Arogya Mandir, District & sub-district hospitals, Government Medical Colleges and Hospitals (GMCH) and Community Health Centres of all states.
FAQs-
A. Human Papillomavirus – HPV is a group of viruses that can either be eliminated on its own or can grow to a dangerous disease like cancer. It is mainly caused by participating in sexual activities such as vaginal, anal, or oral sex or by the person who has touched the HPV affected patient.
A. The participant must be a girl of 14 years, and she must be Indian. Moreover, consent from parents and guardians is required for the vaccine.
A. The vaccine is free for all the girls eligible under the HPV Vaccine Programme by the Minister of Health and Family Welfare.
A. First, register or book your slot at the U-Win App. The App will designate you to the nearest health centre.