In a major step toward preventing cervical cancer, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched a nationwide free Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination program from Ajmer, Rajasthan. As part of the National Immunization Programme, the vaccine is being provided free of cost to girls aged 14 and above. The “Gardasil” vaccine is now available at Primary Health Centres, aimed at protecting young women from HPV types 16 and 18, which are primary causes of cervical cancer, as well as types 6 and 11.
The Union Health Ministry aims to distribute approximately 11.5 million doses annually, following the guidelines set by the World Health Organization (WHO). While the HPV vaccine has been globally available since 2006 with over 500 million doses administered worldwide, India remains a high-burden country for cancer cases, trailing only China and the United States. Experts suggest that widespread vaccination can significantly reduce the incidence of cervical cancer, which currently affects millions of women globally each year.
The initiative comes at a critical time, as projections suggest that the number of cancer patients in India could increase by 2 million annually by 2040. Currently, out of 20 million cancer cases reported worldwide each year, roughly 1.5 million are from India. By integrating this vaccine into the public health infrastructure, the government aims to provide long-term protection to the next generation and strengthen the nation’s strategy against preventable life-threatening diseases.
