The Central Government confirmed on February 24, 2026 that a nationwide HPV vaccination programme is being launched, offering free immunisation to adolescent girls aged 14, targeting one of the country’s most preventable yet devastating diseases: cervical cancer.
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HPV Numbers That Make This Urgent
Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among Indian women. Nearly 80,000 new cases are reported each year, and the disease claims over 42,000 lives annually Asianet Newsable — that’s roughly one death every eight minutes. And here’s the hard truth: the vast majority of these deaths are entirely preventable.
India accounts for around 25% of the world’s cervical cancer burden India TV News, making this rollout not just a national milestone but a global public health moment.
What Parents Need to Know
The programme will use Gardasil, a quadrivalent HPV vaccine protecting against HPV types 16 and 18 — the strains causing cervical cancer — as well as types 6 and 11. The News Mill A single dose is all that’s needed for girls in the recommended age group, consistent with WHO 2022 guidelines.
Vaccination will be voluntary and free of cost, ensuring equitable access across all socio-economic groups, and administered exclusively at designated government health facilities. ANI News
India’s Free HPV Vaccination Programme — Key Facts
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Announcement Date | February 24, 2026 |
| Target Group | Girls aged 14 years |
| Vaccine Used | Gardasil (Quadrivalent HPV vaccine) |
| HPV Types Covered | 16, 18 (cancer-causing), 6 & 11 |
| Dosage | Single dose |
| Cost | Free of charge |
| Delivery Sites | Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, PHCs, District Hospitals, Govt. Medical Colleges |
| Supervision | Trained medical officers with post-vaccination monitoring |
| Countries with Similar Programme | 160+ globally |
| Vaccine Supply Partner | Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance |
| Programme Vision | “Swastha Nari” |
Why Age 14 Is the Sweet Spot
The vaccine offers maximum preventive benefit at age 14 — well before potential exposure to the virus — and generates a stronger immune response at this age. The Logical Indian Vaccinating girls before the virus is encountered is what makes this a genuine prevention programme, not just a treatment tool.
With this launch, India will join over 160 countries that have already incorporated HPV vaccination into their national immunisation schedules. India TV News
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FAQs
Q: Who is eligible for India’s free HPV vaccine and where can girls get it?
The programme targets girls aged 14 years, and the free single-dose Gardasil vaccine will be available at government health facilities including Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, PHCs, district hospitals, and government medical colleges.
Q: Is India’s HPV vaccination programme mandatory?
No — the programme is completely voluntary and free of cost, designed to ensure equal access for girls across all social and economic backgrounds.
