Update on HPV Vaccination Programme and Cervical Cancer Prevention

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare launched a nationwide HPV vaccination programme on 28 February 2026 targeting about 1.2 crore girls aged 14 across all 36 States and Union Territories. By 15 July 2026, 5,210,302 girls had received the vaccine free of cost at government health facilities such as Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, PHCs, CHCs, SDHs/DHs and GMCs. Training of medical and paramedical staff was completed nationwide, and vaccination coverage is recorded on the U‑WIN digital portal. Awareness activities using IEC materials aim to overcome hesitancy, especially in rural, tribal and urban‑slum areas. The Union Government’s cervical‑cancer strategy also includes screening, early diagnosis at Ayushman Arogya Mandirs and treatment via Day Care Cancer Centres.