What Happened
- Telangana's Health Minister launched a statewide Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination programme at King Koti Hospital in Hyderabad on February 28, 2026, as part of a nationwide campaign announced by the Prime Minister.
- The three-month special campaign targets girls aged 14 to 15 years, with Telangana aiming to cover approximately 3.5 to 4 lakh beneficiaries. After the initial campaign, the vaccine will be available on routine immunisation days.
- The Gardasil vaccine — a quadrivalent vaccine protecting against HPV types 6, 11, 16, and 18 — is being administered as a single-dose shot free of cost at government general hospitals, area hospitals, and community health centres, before being extended to Primary Health Centres (PHCs).
- Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women in India; Telangana alone records approximately 3,200 new cases annually.
- The national campaign will vaccinate an estimated 11.5 million girls aged 14 years in a 90-day window, making it the largest free HPV vaccination campaign in history according to the World Health Organization.
- India contributes approximately one-fifth of the world's cervical cancer cases, with 1,23,000 new diagnoses annually; HPV types 16 and 18 account for 85% of cervical cancers in India.
Static Topic Bridges
Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP)
The Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP) is one of the largest public health programmes in the world, covering approximately 2.67 crore newborns and 2.9 crore pregnant women annually across India. Launched in 1985 as an expansion of the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) introduced in 1978, it provides free vaccines against 12 vaccine-preventable diseases. The National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (NTAGI) is the apex technical body that recommends inclusion of vaccines into the UIP. NTAGI had recommended HPV vaccine integration into UIP with a one-time catch-up for girls aged 9–14 years, followed by routine introduction at age 9.
- UIP currently covers 12 diseases: tuberculosis, diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, polio, hepatitis B, pneumonia, meningitis (Hib), rotavirus, measles, rubella, and Japanese encephalitis (in endemic areas)
- Mission Indradhanush (2014) and Intensified Mission Indradhanush (IMI) were launched to increase full immunisation coverage, targeting children and pregnant women missed by routine immunisation
- India's full immunisation coverage increased from approximately 65% (2015-16 NFHS-4) to 76.4% (2019-21 NFHS-5)
Connection to this news: The integration of HPV vaccine into UIP marks the first addition of a cancer-prevention vaccine to India's routine immunisation schedule, representing a significant expansion of the programme's scope from infectious disease prevention to oncological prevention.
Human Papillomavirus and Cervical Cancer
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a sexually transmitted infection; most HPV infections are asymptomatic and self-clearing, but persistent infection with high-risk strains (particularly HPV 16 and 18) can lead to cervical cancer over 10–15 years. HPV is causally linked to 99% of all cervical cancer cases worldwide. Current HPV vaccines are prophylactic (preventive), not therapeutic. The World Health Organization's 2020 Global Strategy to Accelerate the Elimination of Cervical Cancer sets a target of vaccinating 90% of girls by age 15, screening 70% of women by age 35 and 45, and treating 90% of those with cervical disease by 2030 (the 90-70-90 targets).
- Gardasil (quadrivalent): protects against HPV 6, 11 (responsible for genital warts) and 16, 18 (responsible for most cervical cancers)
- Single-dose efficacy data (emerging evidence from Kenya, India trials) show comparable protection to two-dose and three-dose schedules for adolescent girls when administered before sexual debut
- Cervical cancer is the only cancer listed in the UIP vaccine schedule; India's burden is disproportionate — it has ~18% of global cases
Connection to this news: Telangana's launch is part of the national rollout that operationalises decades of NTAGI and WHO recommendations; the use of single-dose Gardasil reflects updated WHO guidance from 2022 on simplified schedules for adolescent girls.
National Health Mission (NHM) and Reproductive, Maternal and Child Health
The National Health Mission (NHM), launched in 2013 as a merger of the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM, 2005) and the National Urban Health Mission (NUHM), provides the implementation framework for immunisation campaigns and reproductive health interventions. NHM functions through Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs), Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs), and Sub-Centres to deliver last-mile health services, including immunisation outreach.
- NHM budget (Union Budget 2025-26): approximately ₹38,183 crore
- ASHAs (approximately 10.4 lakh across India) serve as primary community health mobilisers for immunisation drives
- The Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCHA) strategy under NHM covers adolescent girls as a priority group
Connection to this news: The HPV vaccination rollout leverages the NHM infrastructure — government hospitals, PHCs, and ASHA network — to achieve national coverage without requiring private-sector delivery channels.
Key Facts & Data
- India records approximately 1,23,000 new cervical cancer cases annually, accounting for about 20% of the global burden
- HPV types 16 and 18 are responsible for 85% of cervical cancers in India (vs. 70% globally)
- Gardasil costs ₹3,000–4,000 per dose in private hospitals; the government campaign provides it free
- The national 90-day campaign targets 11.5 million girls aged 14 years
- Telangana's target: approximately 3.5–4 lakh girls aged 14–15 years
- WHO 2022 updated guidance: a single-dose schedule provides comparable protection to two-dose schedule for adolescent girls under 15
- Serum Institute of India's domestically produced HPV vaccine (Cervavac) is expected to be integrated into UIP supply