Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
2 checked stories, newest 11 Sep 2026.
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National HPV vaccination campaign crosses 80 lakh doses; four states at full coverage
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India's free HPV vaccination drive for 14-year-old girls, launched in February 2026 to prevent cervical cancer, crossed 80 lakh doses. Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Mizoram reached 100% of their targets.
Exam angle, detailsExam angle: HPV types 16 and 18 cause most cervical cancers. WHO aims for 90% of girls vaccinated by 15 by 2030. This drive uses Gardasil-4.
Details
The Union Health Ministry said more than 80 lakh doses of the HPV vaccine had been given since the national campaign for 14-year-old girls began in February 2026. Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Mizoram reached 100 percent of their identified targets, and Uttar Pradesh had the highest count with over 22 lakh girls vaccinated.
- Health Ministry update of 11 September 2026: over 80 lakh HPV doses administered
- Campaign launched by PM Modi on 28 February 2026 at Ajmer for 14-year-old girls; single dose, free, voluntary, with parental consent
- Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Mizoram achieved 100 percent of identified targets
- Uttar Pradesh highest with more than 22 lakh adolescent girls vaccinated
- Annual cohort of 14-year-old girls about 1.15 to 1.2 crore (PIB launch material 1.15 crore; PTI 1.2 crore from RGI 2021 estimates)
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India launches nationwide HPV vaccination for girls aged 14
On 28 February 2026 PM Modi launched a free nationwide HPV vaccine drive from Ajmer to protect about 1.15 crore girls aged 14 from cervical cancer. One dose is given at government centres, with parents' consent.
Exam angle, detailsExam angle: Cervavac is India's indigenous HPV vaccine (Serum Institute); World Cancer Day is 4 February.
Details
The government launched a nationwide HPV vaccination programme against cervical cancer on 28 February, offering free doses at government facilities to about 1.15 crore girls aged 14.
- Launched 28 February 2026 by PM Modi from Ajmer, Rajasthan
- Target: about 1.15 crore girls aged 14 (some reports say 14 and above)
- Free at government facilities; uses the quadrivalent Gardasil 4 vaccine as a single dose
- Voluntary, with parental consent; first three months in mission mode, then routine immunisation
- Aims at cervical cancer prevention