Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 28, 2026, launched India’s nationwide Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign from Ajmer, Rajasthan, marking a major step in the country’s fight against cervical cancer. The programme targets nearly 1.15 crore 14-year-old girls annually and will provide a free single dose of the Gardasil-4 vaccine at government health facilities across all States and Union Territories.
Led by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the drive will run in a special three-month mission mode before being integrated into routine immunisation services. While the vaccine is voluntary, written parental or guardian consent is mandatory, and beneficiary tracking will be managed through the U-WIN digital platform. Officials say adequate doses have been supplied, cold chain systems activated, and healthcare workers trained to ensure safe and effective implementation.
Nationwide Rollout With Robust Planning and Safety Measures
The nationwide campaign is being implemented through an extensive network of public health facilities, including Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (Primary Health Centres), Community Health Centres, Sub-District and District Hospitals, as well as Government Medical Colleges and Hospitals. Under the initiative, all eligible 14-year-old girls will receive a single dose of the quadrivalent Gardasil-4 vaccine, which protects against HPV types 16 and 18 responsible for the majority of cervical cancer cases along with types 6 and 11.
According to the Health Ministry, vaccine doses have been supplied to States and Union Territories based on their target population estimates. Nearly 1.15 crore beneficiaries are expected to be covered annually. Special vaccination session sites have been prepared for the launch phase, and States have been directed to ensure last-mile distribution to all cold chain points. These cold chain systems are crucial to maintaining the potency and safety of vaccines, particularly in rural and remote areas.
Dedicated medical officers and trained frontline workers, including ASHAs and ANMs, will supervise vaccination sessions. Protocols are in place to manage any Adverse Events Following Immunisation (AEFI), with observation areas and emergency care readiness at designated facilities. Officials emphasised that safety and transparency remain central to the programme’s success. “States have been instructed to ensure proper storage, trained staff deployment and preparedness at every vaccination site,” a senior ministry official stated.
The vaccination drive will continue daily at designated government facilities for three months to maximise outreach and coverage. After this special campaign window concludes, the HPV vaccine will become available on routine immunisation days, ensuring sustained access for future cohorts of adolescent girls.
Addressing a Major Public Health Burden
Cervical cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among women in India. Medical data indicate that the country reports over 1.2 lakh new cases and nearly 80,000 deaths each year, placing a heavy emotional and economic burden on families. Persistent infection with high-risk strains of the Human Papillomavirus is the primary cause of the disease, making vaccination a powerful preventive tool.
Public health experts have long advocated the inclusion of the HPV vaccine in India’s national immunisation strategy. The nationwide rollout follows years of deliberation, pilot programmes and increasing global evidence supporting the effectiveness of single-dose schedules in preventing infection. The World Health Organization has also recommended simplified dosing schedules to expand coverage in low- and middle-income countries.
The Ajmer launch event was attended virtually by Chief Ministers, administrators, State Health Ministers and senior officials from across the country, reflecting a coordinated federal effort. In addition to the vaccination campaign, the Prime Minister inaugurated and laid foundation stones for development projects worth over ₹16,000 crore in Rajasthan, underscoring the broader theme of integrated development and public welfare.
Several States have already begun preparatory awareness campaigns in schools and communities, engaging teachers, parents and local leaders to address concerns and encourage participation. Written consent from parents or guardians is mandatory before administration of the vaccine, reinforcing the voluntary nature of the programme. Officials hope that transparent communication will counter misinformation and vaccine hesitancy, which can otherwise limit uptake.
Health advocates say that expanding preventive healthcare access for adolescent girls could significantly alter long-term health outcomes for women in India. By intervening early, the government aims not only to reduce cervical cancer incidence but also to lower treatment costs and improve quality of life in the decades to come.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The launch of a free nationwide HPV vaccination drive represents a meaningful shift towards preventive, rather than reactive, healthcare. Cervical cancer is largely preventable, yet it continues to claim thousands of lives every year many of them from vulnerable communities with limited access to early screening and treatment. By making the vaccine free and accessible through the public health system, the government is taking an important step towards health equity and gender-focused care.
However, successful implementation will depend not only on logistics but also on trust. Community-level awareness, culturally sensitive outreach and honest conversations about adolescent health are essential. Parents must feel informed and reassured, schools must become safe spaces for dialogue, and healthcare workers must be supported in addressing doubts compassionately.
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