PM Modi Launches Nationwide HPV Vaccination Drive to Combat Cervical Cancer
Single-dose cervical cancer vaccine rolled out across India as part of national mission to eliminate HPV-related deaths and strengthen women’s healthcare
Ajmer (Rajasthan): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday launched a nationwide Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccination Programme aimed at preventing cervical cancer among women, marking a major public health milestone for the country.
The national rollout was formally inaugurated in Ajmer, Rajasthan, with states and Union Territories simultaneously conducting their own launch events. Under the programme, approximately 1.15 crore girls aged 14 years across the country will receive the HPV vaccine free of cost at government health facilities.
The intensive vaccination campaign will run daily for 90 days to ensure maximum coverage. Girls who turn 15 within 90 days of the launch will also be eligible during this special drive. After the three-month campaign, the vaccine will continue to be administered on routine immunisation days as part of the national schedule.
Addressing a Major Health Burden
Cervical cancer remains a significant public health concern globally and in India. According to global estimates, it is the fourth most common cancer among women worldwide, with around 6.6 lakh new cases and approximately 3.5 lakh deaths reported in 2022.
In India, cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women, with over 1.2 lakh new cases and nearly 80,000 deaths annually, as per GLOBOCAN 2022 data. India alone accounts for nearly 25 per cent of global cervical cancer deaths, with one in five women affected worldwide being from the country.
Medical experts note that cervical cancer is caused by persistent infection with high-risk types of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), particularly types 16 and 18, which account for more than 80 per cent of cases in India. It is the only cancer that can be effectively prevented through timely vaccination.
The Vaccine and Its Effectiveness
India’s national programme is using Gardasil-4, a quadrivalent HPV vaccine that protects against HPV types 16 and 18—responsible for cervical cancer—as well as types 6 and 11. A single dose has shown 93–100 per cent effectiveness against the HPV types it targets.
The vaccine has been approved by India’s drug regulator and adheres to stringent quality and cold-chain standards. To ensure uninterrupted supply and high quality, procurement is being carried out through a transparent mechanism in partnership with GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance.
In February 2023, GAVI and the Government of India established a three-year partnership to expand immunisation coverage. Under this collaboration, GAVI committed US$250 million in funding to help identify and vaccinate children who had not received routine vaccines, strengthen health systems, and support the introduction of HPV and Typhoid Conjugate Vaccines into India’s national immunisation programme.
Globally, HPV vaccines are among the most extensively studied vaccines, with over 500 million doses administered since 2006.
Vaccination Process and Safety Measures
Vaccinations will be administered exclusively at government health facilities equipped with functional Cold Chain Points, trained medical officers to manage Adverse Events Following Immunisation (AEFI), and internet connectivity.
Session timings are generally from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM and may be conducted on public holidays and weekends to improve accessibility. All vaccination sites are linked to nearby 24×7 government health facilities to ensure immediate medical support if required.
Beneficiaries are advised not to receive the vaccine on an empty stomach and must remain under observation for 30 minutes post-vaccination. During the three-month campaign, recipients’ left index fingers will be marked to avoid duplication.
Girls with moderate or severe illness, known allergies to yeast or prior allergic reactions to vaccines, pregnant girls, those outside the target age group, or those already vaccinated with any HPV vaccine are excluded from the campaign.
Digital Monitoring and Global Commitment
Registration can be completed through the U-WIN digital platform, via health workers, or through on-site walk-in registration. Vaccine stocks and logistics are monitored using the eVIN system, and vaccination certificates can be downloaded online or obtained in hard copy.
With the launch of this programme, India joins over 160 countries that have incorporated HPV vaccination into their national immunisation schedules. More than 90 countries are now implementing single-dose HPV schedules to improve affordability and coverage.
Health experts estimate that achieving global cervical cancer elimination goals could prevent 74 million new cases and avert 62 million deaths worldwide by 2120.
The initiative aligns with the government’s vision of strengthening women’s healthcare and promoting preventive health measures to build healthier families across the country.
