India has launched a major nationwide campaign to vaccinate young girls against the human papillomavirus (HPV), a virus that causes cervical cancer — the second most common cancer among women in the country. The campaign was officially launched on February 28 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Ajmer. Following the national launch, several states and union territories have started their own vaccination drives.
Under the programme, around 11.5 million girls aged 14 years will receive the vaccine free of cost at government healthcare facilities across the country. The initiative marks a significant step in India’s effort to reduce the growing burden of cervical cancer.
India Carries a Large Share of Global Cervical Cancer Cases
According to the World Health Organization GLOBOCAN 2022 report, India records more than 120,000 new cervical cancer cases and nearly 80,000 deaths every year, the highest number globally. In fact, the country accounts for about 25% of cervical cancer deaths worldwide.
Statistics highlight the seriousness of the disease: a new cervical cancer case is diagnosed every four minutes in India, and one woman dies from the disease approximately every seven minutes.
Persistent infection with high-risk HPV strains — particularly types 16 and 18 — is known to be the main cause of cervical cancer. Experts say that even a single dose of the vaccine can provide long-term protection against these infections.
A Long-Awaited National Programme
HPV vaccination was first introduced in India in 2008, but its expansion faced several challenges, including misinformation, safety concerns, cultural resistance and logistical issues. Initially, the vaccine was rolled out only in limited programmes in states such as Punjab and Sikkim in 2016.
The current campaign is the first time the HPV vaccine has been included in India’s Universal Immunisation Programme, allowing for nationwide coverage.
India is currently using Gardasil, a quadrivalent vaccine that protects against HPV types 16 and 18, which cause most cervical cancers, as well as types 6 and 11, which cause genital warts.
Meanwhile, the Serum Institute of India has developed its own HPV vaccine called Cervavac, which has shown promising results and is currently seeking approval from the World Health Organization.
Potential Global Impact
Experts believe India’s large-scale vaccination drive could significantly reduce cervical cancer not only in the country but worldwide. Partha Basu from the International Agency for Research on Cancer said that since nearly one-fifth of global cervical cancer cases occur in India, vaccinating millions of girls annually could dramatically lower the global disease burden.
Currently, about one in every 50 girls in India is expected to develop cervical cancer during her lifetime. Widespread vaccination could greatly reduce this risk.
Countries that introduced the HPV vaccine over a decade ago have already reported sharp reductions in HPV infections, precancerous conditions and cervical cancer cases.
Prevention Over Treatment
Health experts say the nationwide campaign represents a shift in India’s public health strategy — from focusing primarily on treatment to prioritising prevention.
Jyoti Vajpayee, who has worked extensively on HPV awareness programmes, says that large-scale vaccination combined with screening programmes for women aged 30–65 years could drastically reduce cervical cancer cases in the future.
Vaccination will also help build herd immunity, reducing the spread of HPV infections across communities. Additionally, preventing cervical cancer could lead to significant savings in healthcare costs, which are often high for late-stage cancer treatment.
Challenges Ahead
Despite the positive outlook, experts warn that misinformation and vaccine hesitancy remain key challenges. The programme requires parental consent, which may help address concerns and reduce stigma associated with HPV, a virus linked to sexual transmission.
Public awareness campaigns will be essential to educate families, dispel myths and encourage vaccination.
Globally, 160 out of 194 countries have already introduced HPV vaccines in their national immunisation programmes, and many have adopted single-dose vaccination schedules similar to India’s approach.
If the campaign continues successfully, experts believe India could significantly reduce cervical cancer cases in the coming decades, protecting millions of women from a preventable disease.
