What Happened
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched India's nationwide HPV (Human Papillomavirus) Vaccination Programme on February 28, 2026, from Ajmer, Rajasthan, as part of the country's mission to eliminate cervical cancer.
- The 90-day intensive campaign targets 1.15 crore (11.5 million) girls aged 14 years, with a single free dose administered at government health facilities; girls turning 15 within the 90-day window are also eligible.
- The vaccine being used is Gardasil-4 (quadrivalent), protecting against HPV strains 6, 11, 16, and 18; the WHO endorses single-dose schedules as providing robust long-term immunity.
- Following the intensive campaign, the HPV vaccine will be integrated into India's Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) for routine delivery during immunisation days.
- Health journalists and experts have flagged the importance of maintaining vaccine uptake momentum, particularly in states with historically low immunisation coverage, given past controversies around HPV vaccine trials in India.
Static Topic Bridges
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and Cervical Cancer — The Disease Link
HPV is a group of more than 200 related viruses, of which about 14 "high-risk" strains are associated with cancer. HPV 16 and 18 together cause approximately 70% of all cervical cancer cases globally. Cervical cancer is primarily a preventable disease — both by HPV vaccination and by cervical screening (Pap smear or HPV DNA test).
- HPV transmission: Primarily through sexual contact; also skin-to-skin genital contact
- Most HPV infections are transient and cleared by the immune system; persistent high-risk infections drive cancer development over 10–15 years
- Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in Indian women (by both incidence and mortality)
- India's burden (2022): 127,526 new cases and 79,906 deaths — approximately one-fifth of new global cases and one-fourth of global deaths
- India's mortality rate: ~11.2 per 100,000 women vs global average of 7.1 per 100,000
- Projected increase: Cases expected to reach 229,056 by 2050 (80% increase) without intervention
- Other HPV-associated cancers: Oropharyngeal (throat), vulval, vaginal, penile, and anal cancers
Connection to this news: The scale of India's cervical cancer burden — disproportionately affecting lower-income women with limited screening access — makes a government-funded vaccination programme the most equitable public health intervention available.
HPV Vaccine Types — Bivalent, Quadrivalent, and Nonavalent
Three generations of HPV vaccine protect against different numbers of HPV strains:
- Bivalent vaccine (Cervarix — GSK): Targets HPV 16 and 18; prevents ~70% of cervical cancer cases
- Quadrivalent vaccine (Gardasil-4 — Merck): Targets HPV 6, 11, 16, 18; prevents ~70% of cervical cancers + genital warts (caused by HPV 6 and 11)
- Nonavalent vaccine (Gardasil-9 — Merck): Targets HPV 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 45, 52, 58; prevents ~90% of cervical cancers
- India launched with Gardasil-4 (quadrivalent); PIB initially mentioned "Gardasil-4" though some sources noted Gardasil 9 in wider rollout discussions
- Dosing schedule: WHO endorses single-dose as providing robust immunity for girls vaccinated before sexual debut (updated recommendation 2022); previously 2-dose (9–14 years) and 3-dose (15+ years) schedules
- India's domestic option: Cervavac (Serum Institute of India) — quadrivalent, domestically produced, priced at ~₹2,000 per dose for private market
Connection to this news: The government's choice of a single-dose quadrivalent vaccine balances coverage, cost, and logistics — enabling a 90-day campaign to reach 11.5 million girls without the logistical complexity of a multi-dose schedule.
Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) and Mission Indradhanush
The Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) is India's flagship public health programme for vaccinating children and pregnant women against vaccine-preventable diseases. Launched in 1985, it is one of the largest immunisation programmes in the world.
- UIP target diseases (as of 2026): Diphtheria, Whooping Cough, Tetanus, Polio, Measles, Rubella, Hepatitis B, Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type b), Japanese Encephalitis (in endemic areas), Rotavirus, Pneumococcal disease, and now HPV
- Delivery mechanism: Routine immunisation at Anganwadis, Sub-Centres, PHCs, CHCs; supplemental immunisation activities (SIA) for campaigns
- Mission Indradhanush (launched 2014): Special drive to vaccinate all unvaccinated/partially vaccinated children under 2 and pregnant women; periodic intensified drives (IMI — Intensified Mission Indradhanush)
- HPV integration: Post-campaign, HPV vaccine will be provided to 14-year-old girls through routine UIP delivery at government health facilities
- Pilot states before national rollout: Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra
Connection to this news: Integrating HPV into UIP is the critical step for sustainability — a campaign alone reaches a cohort but misses future birth cohorts; routine UIP delivery ensures that every 14-year-old girl in India receives the vaccine going forward.
Key Facts & Data
- National HPV vaccination launch: February 28, 2026, Ajmer, Rajasthan
- Target cohort: 1.15 crore girls aged 14 (90-day intensive campaign)
- Vaccine used: Gardasil-4 (quadrivalent HPV vaccine)
- HPV strains covered by quadrivalent vaccine: 6, 11, 16, 18
- HPV 16 and 18 cause: ~70% of cervical cancer cases globally
- India's cervical cancer new cases (2022): 127,526; deaths: 79,906
- India's rank: Second most common cancer in Indian women (incidence and mortality)
- India's cervical cancer mortality rate: ~11.2 per 100,000 women (global avg: 7.1)
- Projected cases by 2050 (without intervention): 229,056 (80% increase from 2022)
- India's domestic vaccine: Cervavac (Serum Institute of India) — quadrivalent
- UIP launched: 1985; Mission Indradhanush launched: 2014
- Bivalent vaccines target: HPV 16, 18; Nonavalent adds HPV 31, 33, 45, 52, 58
- WHO single-dose recommendation: Endorsed since 2022 for girls vaccinated before sexual debut