India Launches Free HPV Vaccine Programme for Girls

The Union Health Ministry of India is preparing to launch a nationwide Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination programme. The programme will focus on girls aged 14 years and aims to protect them from certain types of HPV that can cause cervical cancer.

The vaccination will be completely voluntary and free of cost. The ministry has emphasized that the programme will ensure access for girls from all socio-economic backgrounds, so that every eligible girl can benefit from it.

India will use Gardasil, a quadrivalent HPV vaccine. This vaccine protects against four types of HPV: types 16 and 18, which are the main causes of cervical cancer, and types 6 and 11, which can cause genital warts.

A senior official from the Health Ministry said, “Global and Indian scientific evidence shows that even a single dose of the vaccine provides strong and long-lasting protection when given to girls in the recommended age group.”

The ministry hopes that the programme will help reduce the burden of cervical cancer in India, which is one of the leading cancers affecting women. By vaccinating girls early, before exposure to the virus, the risk of developing HPV-related diseases in the future can be significantly lowered.

Health experts have welcomed the initiative, highlighting that combining vaccination with regular cervical cancer screening can save thousands of lives every year. Awareness campaigns will also be conducted alongside the vaccination drive to educate parents, schools, and communities about the benefits and safety of the HPV vaccine.

The nationwide rollout is expected to be a major step in India’s efforts to prevent cervical cancer and promote women’s health across the country.