India's HPV Vaccination Drive Nears 12 Million Girls Milestone

LUCKNOW- 

India Pushes Ahead With World's Largest Free HPV Vaccination Drive to Eliminate Cervical Cancer

India's nationwide HPV vaccination campaign, launched on 28th February by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, aims to vaccinate about 12 million adolescent girls aged 14 years, running for 90 days on a single-dose Gardasil Quadrivalent schedule provided free of cost at government health facilities. As the drive nears completion, health authorities say momentum remains strong across states.

India's nationwide HPV vaccination drive, launched on February 28, continues across the country, aiming to vaccinate nearly 12 million 14-year-old girls for free at government health facilities within a 90-day window, marking the world's largest free HPV immunisation campaign yet.

Union Health Minister JP Nadda reiterated India's commitment to eliminating cervical cancer as a public health problem, highlighting that over 86 million women have already been screened under the National NCD Programme, reflecting sustained progress toward global cervical cancer elimination.

The Health Minister said the initiative reflects the vision of Swasth Nari, Sashakt Parivar, placing prevention and equitable healthcare for women at the centre, and added that the programme remains voluntary and based on parental consent, respecting community values. He reaffirmed that India fully supports the WHO's global strategy to eliminate cervical cancer through the 90-70-90 targets by 2030 - vaccinating 90% of girls, screening 70% of women, and treating 90% of women diagnosed with cervical disease.

States like Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Mizoram have achieved full coverage of their target cohorts since launch, while Bihar, Andhra Pradesh and Assam have crossed 90% coverage. Uttar Pradesh has registered the highest number of vaccinations with over 22 lakh adolescent girls covered under the campaign.