Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch a nationwide Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign for 14-year-old girls on February 28, marking a major step in India’s effort to prevent cervical cancer. The launch event will take place in Ajmer and will be virtually attended by states and Union territories.

According to the Union Health Ministry, the campaign will administer a single dose of Gardasil 4, a quadrivalent vaccine that protects against HPV types 16 and 18—linked to cervical cancer—as well as types 6 and 11. Officials described cervical cancer as a significant public health concern and noted that it is one of the few cancers preventable through vaccination.

During the rollout, vaccinations will be provided free of cost at government health facilities, including Ayushman Arogya Mandir Primary Health Centres, Community Health Centres, district hospitals and government medical colleges. Each site will maintain cold chain points and deploy dedicated medical officers to manage any adverse events following immunisation (AEFI).

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The Health Ministry clarified that HPV vaccination is voluntary and requires mandatory consent from parents or guardians. States and Union territories have already been trained for the rollout, and vaccine doses matching target populations have been supplied.

Officials said the intensive phase of the campaign will run for three months with daily vaccine availability to maximise coverage among eligible girls. Afterward, the HPV vaccine will continue to be offered on routine immunisation days at the same facilities, with state-level launch events scheduled for February 28 following the national kick-off.

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