Government to launch HPV vaccination programme for girls aged 14

The Union government will soon launch a nationwide HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccination programme targeting girls aged 14, official sources said. The Gardasil injection will be administered free of cost, they said.

The quadrivalent HPV vaccine protects against HPV types 16 and 18, which cause cervical cancer, as well as types 6 and 11, they said.

"Strong global and Indian scientific evidence confirms that a single dose provides robust and durable protection when administered to girls in the recommended age group," an official source said.

"Vaccination under the national programme will be voluntary and free of cost, ensuring equitable access across socio-economic groups," the source added.

The launch of the nationwide HPV vaccination demonstrates the government's delivery oriented governance, where scientific evidence, policy decisions and implementation readiness converge to produce measurable public health impact, he said.

"Parents and guardians across the country should come forward and ensure that their 14-year-old daughters are vaccinated against HPV once the programme is rolled out," he said.

Published on February 24, 2026