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The Union Health Ministry is about to launch a nationwide Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination programme focusing on ladies aged 14 years. The vaccination will probably be voluntary and freed from price, guaranteeing equitable entry throughout socio-economic teams.
India will use Gardasil, a quadrivalent HPV vaccine, for cover from HPV sorts 16 and 18, which trigger cervical most cancers, in addition to sorts 6 and 11. “Global and Indian scientific evidence confirms that a single dose provides robust and durable protection when administered to girls in the recommended age group,’’ a senior Health Ministry official said.
“The nationwide programme will target girls aged 14 years, an age at which the HPV vaccine offers maximum preventive benefit, well before potential exposure to the virus,” the official stated.
To guarantee uninterrupted availability and high quality, India has secured HPV vaccine provides by way of a clear, globally supported procurement mechanism.
“Under India’s partnership with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, Gardasil vaccines, that are authorized by India’s drug regulator and broadly used internationally, have been made accessible for the nationwide programme. The procurement follows stringent high quality and chilly chain requirements, enabling the federal government to supply the vaccine freed from price to eligible ladies throughout all States and Union Territories,’’ the official stated.
HPV vaccination beneath the nationwide programme will probably be carried out completely at designated authorities well being amenities, together with the Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (Primary Health Centres), Community Health Centres, Sub-District and District Hospitals, and Government Medical Colleges.
Each vaccination session will probably be carried out within the presence of educated medical officers, supported by expert healthcare groups, and geared up for post-vaccination commentary and administration of any uncommon adversarial occasions. All vaccination websites will probably be linked to 24×7 authorities well being amenities, guaranteeing quick medical assist, and reinforcing security and parental confidence.
Cervical most cancers stays the second commonest most cancers amongst ladies in India, with practically 80,000 new instances and over 42,000 deaths reported yearly. Scientific proof establishes that the majority instances of cervical most cancers are attributable to persistent an infection with high-risk sorts of HPV, notably HPV sorts 16 and 18, which collectively account for greater than 80% of cervical most cancers instances in India.
Despite being largely preventable by way of vaccination and early screening, cervical most cancers continues to impose a heavy burden on ladies and households. “The forthcoming HPV vaccination programme instantly addresses this problem by stopping HPV an infection earlier than it could possibly progress to most cancers,’’ the Health Ministry stated.
HPV vaccines are among the many most extensively studied vaccines worldwide, with proof demonstrating 93–100% effectiveness in stopping cervical most cancers attributable to vaccine-covered HPV sorts. The vaccine is non-live, doesn’t trigger HPV an infection, and has a great security file, supported by greater than 500 million doses administered globally since its introduction in 2006.
Meanwhile, globally, over 90 international locations are implementing single-dose HPV vaccination schedules, enhancing protection and affordability. Several international locations have already demonstrated substantial reductions in HPV an infection, pre-cancerous lesions, and cervical most cancers incidence following widespread vaccination.
India’s method is grounded in international greatest practices, nationwide illness burden proof, and knowledgeable suggestions of the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation, a Health Ministry official stated.
Published – February 24, 2026 07:19 pm IST
