India to Launch Free Nationwide HPV Vaccination Drive for 14-Year-Old Girls

Category : National Published on: February 28 2026

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The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is set to roll out a nationwide Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination programme targeting 14-year-old girls. The voluntary vaccine will be provided free of cost at government health facilities to ensure equitable access and reduce the burden of cervical cancer in India.
The programme will use Gardasil, a quadrivalent HPV vaccine protecting against types 16 and 18—responsible for most cervical cancer cases—as well as types 6 and 11. Procurement is being supported through partnership with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, ensuring global quality and cold chain standards.
Vaccinations will be administered at Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, Primary Health Centres, Community Health Centres, district hospitals, and government medical colleges under medical supervision.
Cervical cancer remains the second most common cancer among Indian women, causing nearly 80,000 new cases and over 42,000 deaths annually, making this initiative a major public health intervention.