26 Feb 2026 • India is set to take a major step toward eliminating cervical cancer as Prime Minister Narendra Modi launches a nationwide HPV vaccination campaign for 14-year-old girls from Ajmer on February 28.

The HPV vaccination is voluntary and obtaining consent from the parent or guardian is mandatory before vaccination of girls, the official letter underscored. All the girls aged 14 years across the country will be vaccinated with a single dose of Gardasil 4 vaccine at the Government Health facilities (Ayushman Arogya Mandir-Primary Health Centers, Community Health Centers, sub-district/ district hospitals and government medical colleges and hospitals.

States and Union territories will participate virtually in the launch and conduct parallel rollouts, with trained staff, cold chain points, and adverse event management systems in place.

Source: The Week | Read full story