The Government of India has launched a three-month, nationwide HPV vaccination programme aimed at preventing cervical cancer, marking one of the country’s largest single-disease prevention drives in recent years.
According to the Press Information Bureau, the programme began on 28 February 2026 and offers the Gardasil-4 vaccine — a single-dose, WHO pre-qualified shot used in immunisation programmes worldwide — free of cost to adolescent girls aged 14 years at all government primary and community health centres.
Why cervical cancer
Cervical cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting women in India, and it is largely preventable through vaccination against the human papillomavirus (HPV) that causes most cases, combined with screening. Targeting 14-year-old girls aligns with global guidance to vaccinate before exposure to the virus, and a single-dose schedule makes large-scale delivery simpler and more affordable.
How it fits India’s health architecture
The drive sits within the wider Ayushman Bharat framework, which the government describes as the world’s largest publicly funded health insurance scheme, backed by a network of Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (primary health centres). As of February 2026, more than 184,000 such centres were operating across rural, urban and tribal areas, providing a delivery channel close to people’s homes.
Officials say the campaign is preventive rather than curative: by vaccinating adolescent girls now, the programme aims to cut future cervical-cancer burden and reduce long-term treatment costs. State health departments are responsible for outreach, with schools and community health workers expected to play a central role in reaching eligible girls.
Health authorities encourage parents and guardians to use the free government programme rather than waiting for paid alternatives, noting that early vaccination is the most effective defence against HPV-related disease.