Nationwide HPV Vaccination Rollout: Single‑Dose Drive for 14‑Year‑Old Girls from March 2026
The Union Government is preparing to launch a nationwide single‑dose HPV vaccination programme starting March 2026 to reduce and ultimately eliminate cervical cancer as a public health problem. The campaign will target all girls aged 14 years, delivered free of cost through government facilities and tracked via the U‑WIN platform.
What’s being rolled out
According to reported government sources, the rollout begins with a 90‑day special campaign in which eligible girls can receive the HPV vaccine at public health facilities such as Ayushman Arogya Mandirs/primary level facilities and higher government hospitals. After the intensive campaign phase, vaccination is expected to continue through routine delivery channels to sustain annual coverage for each new cohort of girls turning 14.
The government’s scale estimate is large: about 1.15 crore girls become eligible every year as they turn 14, and the programme is designed around vaccinating this annual cohort.
Why HPV vaccination is a big public health step
HPV (Human Papillomavirus) infection is a major cause of cervical cancer, and vaccination before potential exposure is widely recognised as a high-impact preventive intervention. Indian reporting around the rollout notes cervical cancer as the second most common cancer among Indian women, with around 80,000 new cases and over 42,000 deaths annually, which underscores why prevention is being prioritised.
Importantly, this programme is framed as a shift from treating cervical cancer as only a clinical challenge to treating it as a preventable disease addressed through immunisation plus awareness and screening.
Who will get the vaccine
The planned target group is girls aged 14 years, chosen because vaccination works best when administered before exposure to HPV, and because adolescent immunisation logistics can be organised through schools and designated immunisation days. Reports also indicate the campaign will be voluntary and delivered free of cost at government health facilities.
Vaccine and dosing: why “single dose” is being used
The vaccine used in the initial phase
Media reports indicate the programme will start with Gardasil (quadrivalent), which protects against HPV types 16 and 18 (linked to a major share of cervical cancer) and types 6 and 11 (linked to genital warts).
Single-dose strategy (evidence-based)
India’s decision to adopt a single-dose HPV strategy aligns with WHO’s updated recommendations that a one- or two-dose schedule can be used for the primary target group of girls aged 9–14 years, based on evidence that a single dose provides solid protection comparable to multi-dose schedules in many contexts. A single dose also simplifies programme delivery, improves compliance, and makes large-scale campaigns more feasible in resource-constrained settings.
How the rollout will be implemented
Health system delivery points
The rollout is expected through designated government vaccination sites, including Ayushman Arogya Mandirs/PHCs and higher-level public facilities, with linkages to 24/7 facilities for safety support. This is meant to build parental confidence by ensuring observation and management mechanisms for rare adverse events.
Digital platform: U‑WIN
Tracking will be done through the U‑WIN portal, described as similar in spirit to the Co‑WIN infrastructure used during the COVID-19 vaccination drive—supporting appointment booking and coverage monitoring.
Supply and scale: doses, partners, and annual requirement
A Times of India report states that Gavi has committed 2.6 crore doses, with about 1.5 crore already delivered, and officials estimate roughly ~1.2 crore doses will be needed annually to cover the cohort of girls turning 14 each year. This kind of supply planning is critical because missed cohorts reduce the long-term population-level impact of HPV vaccination.
Transition to India’s indigenous vaccine (Cervavac)
Your brief notes a planned transition from Gardasil to the indigenous Cervavac after it receives WHO approval; however, I don’t have a directly verifiable government statement in the sources fetched here that confirms the exact transition timeline/conditions. If you share the official note you’re using for that line, I can incorporate it as a fully sourced, factual paragraph.
What to watch: challenges and success factors
- Awareness and consent: HPV vaccines often face misinformation; sustained communication is as important as supply.
- Last-mile delivery: Reaching girls not in school or with limited access to facilities will determine equitable outcomes.
- Safety monitoring: Clear AEFI protocols and rapid response systems help sustain trust.
FAQs
Q1. When will India’s nationwide HPV vaccination rollout begin?
Reports indicate the rollout is expected to begin in March 2026, starting with a 90‑day special campaign.
Q2. Who is the target group for the HPV vaccine drive?
The planned target is all 14‑year‑old girls, covering about 1.15 crore eligible girls each year.
Q3. Will the vaccine be free? Is it compulsory?
Reporting indicates the vaccine will be free of cost at government health facilities and voluntary.
Q4. Which HPV vaccine will be used initially?
Reports say the initial rollout will use Gardasil (quadrivalent), covering HPV 16, 18, 6 and 11.
Q5. Why is India using a single-dose HPV strategy?
WHO updated its recommendations to allow a one- or two-dose schedule for girls aged 9–14 years, based on evidence that a single dose offers solid protection, and it simplifies large-scale delivery.
Q6. How will vaccination be tracked?
Appointments and tracking are expected to be managed through the U‑WIN platform.
