India has administered more than 80 lakh HPV vaccines, a milestone announced by the Union health ministry on Friday, according to a statement from New Delhi.
The nationwide campaign began on 28 February with the aim of vaccinating 14‑year‑old girls. The vaccine is a key preventive measure against cervical cancer, one of the most common cancers in women.
The single‑dose Gardasil‑4 vaccine is offered free of charge at government health facilities, including Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, primary health centres, community health centres, sub‑district and district hospitals, and government medical colleges.
Vaccinations are carried out under the supervision of medical officers and are linked to 24×7 adverse events following immunisation (AEFI) management centres for prompt response. Parental consent is required, and beneficiaries register on the U‑WIN platform. The programme is voluntary, with medical officers trained to handle adverse events.
States such as Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Odisha and Mizoram are leading the rollout. Health authorities are coordinating with schools, local bodies and healthcare workers to facilitate access, while parents and guardians are urged to encourage eligible girls to receive the vaccine.
Operational guidelines for the HPV vaccination campaign have been distributed to all states and Union Territories.
