The Union government is set to launch a nationwide human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination drive offering a free single dose of Gardasil to 14-year-old girls in a major push to reduce cervical cancer in India.

The special campaign, which will not be part of the Universal Immunisation Programme, aims to immunise girls at an age when the vaccine delivers maximum preventive benefit, before potential exposure to the virus. The initiative aligns with the World Health Organization’s global strategy to eliminate cervical cancer, which identifies HPV vaccination as a key pillar of prevention.

Cervical cancer remains the second most common cancer among women in India, with nearly 80,000 new cases and more than 42,000 deaths reported each year. Scientific evidence shows that almost all cases are caused by persistent infection with high-risk HPV types, particularly types 16 and 18, which account for over 80 per cent of cervical cancer cases in the country.

The programme will use a single dose of Gardasil, a quadrivalent vaccine that protects against HPV types 16 and 18, responsible for cervical cancer, as well as types 6 and 11. Authorities have indicated that strong global and Indian research supports the effectiveness and durability of a single dose when administered in the recommended age group.

Vaccination under the campaign will be voluntary and provided free of cost to ensure equitable access across socio-economic groups. The move is expected to significantly lower the long-term burden of cervical cancer by prioritising early prevention.

In the private market, Gardasil-4 is currently administered in a two-dose schedule for girls below 15 years and a three-dose schedule for those aged 15 and above, with each dose costing ₹3,927. The vaccine, manufactured by MSD India, has been in use globally since 2006, with more than 500 million doses administered worldwide. Several countries have reported sharp declines in HPV infections, precancerous lesions and cervical cancer rates following widespread vaccination.

With the rollout, India will join over 160 countries that have introduced HPV vaccination in their national immunisation programmes, and more than 90 nations that have adopted a single-dose schedule.

The vaccination drive will be conducted at designated government health facilities, including Ayushman Arogya Mandirs and primary health centres. All vaccination sites will be connected to round-the-clock government health facilities to ensure immediate medical support and strengthen safety oversight.

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