[News] India introduces human papillomavirus vaccination
Summary
On Feb 28, 2026, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled a national campaign to promote human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination to prevent cervical cancer. During the 90-day drive, 11·5 million girls aged 14 years will be administered the vaccine for free at government-run health facilities across the country. “This is the largest free HPV vaccination campaign in history”, said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhano…
On Feb 28, 2026, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled a national campaign to promote human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination to prevent cervical cancer. During the 90-day drive, 11·5 million girls aged 14 years will be administered the vaccine for free at government-run health facilities across the country. “This is the largest free HPV vaccination campaign in history”, said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (WHO, Geneva, Switzerland). After the current campaign ends, the Indian health ministry will integrate the HPV vaccine into the Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP) and make it available at government health facilities during routine immunisation days, Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda (New Delhi, India) announced while addressing a virtual press conference, along with Ghebreyesus, on March 5.