New Delhi: In a landmark public health initiative, the Central government is set to roll out a nationwide Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination drive aimed at protecting young girls from cervical cancer. Beginning later this month, 14-year-old girls across India will receive the vaccine free of cost at government health centres. The ambitious campaign is expected to cover nearly 1.2 crore girls annually, marking one of the largest preventive healthcare efforts targeting adolescent health.
Cervical cancer — the second most common cancer among women in India — claims over 42,000 lives each year, with nearly 80,000 new cases reported annually. Caused primarily by certain strains of the HPV virus, the disease often goes undetected in its early stages, leading many women to seek treatment only after it has progressed. Health experts emphasize that early vaccination and timely screening can make cervical cancer largely preventable and even curable when detected early.
The vaccine ‘Gardasil’ provides protection against high-risk HPV types 6, 11, 16, and 18, which are strongly linked to cervical cancer. Authorities estimate that around 1.2 crore doses will be required every year to sustain the program. The move reflects a strong national push toward preventive healthcare, aiming to significantly reduce the disease burden and safeguard the health of future generations.
