GOVERNMENTOFINDIA
MINISTRYOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE
DEPARTMENT OFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE
RAJYASABHA
UNSTARREDQUESTION NO. 3649
TO BE ANSWERED ON 24thMARCH 2026
HPVVACCINATIONPROGRAMME ANDPUBLICCONCERNS
3649.SHRISANJAYRAUT :
Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE be pleasedtostate:
(a) whether Government has assessed concerns raised regarding the safety, monitoring and informed
consent...
GOVERNMENTOFINDIA MINISTRYOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE DEPARTMENT OFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE RAJYASABHA UNSTARREDQUESTION NO. 3649 TO BE ANSWERED ON 24thMARCH 2026 HPVVACCINATIONPROGRAMME ANDPUBLICCONCERNS
3649.SHRISANJAYRAUT :
Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE be pleasedtostate:
(a) whether Government has assessed concerns raised regarding the safety, monitoring and informed consent processes inthe ongoingHPVvaccinationprogramme;
(b) the details of adverse events reported, if any and the findings of independent investigations conductedthereon;
(c) whether the indigenous HPV vaccine introduced under the national immunisation framework has undergone full clinicaltrialsandregulatoryapproval by the competentauthority;
(d) the mechanism inplace for post-vaccinationsurveillance andtransparency inpublic reporting; and
(e)the steps takentoaddress public apprehensions andensure informedparticipationwhile preventing misinformation? ANSWER THE MINISTER OFSTATE INTHE MINISTRYOFHEALTH ANDFAMILYWELFARE (SMT.ANUPRIYAPATEL)
(a) to (e) The Nationwide free HPV vaccination campaign was launched on 28th February 2026 for approximately 1.2 crore eligible beneficiary girls aged 14 years across all 36 States and Union Territories. Operational guidelines for the roll out of HPV vaccination campaign has been disseminated to all States/UTs. The Gardasil-4 vaccine is administered at government health facilities in presence of medical officer. HPV vaccination is voluntary. Parental consent is mandatory before administration of vaccine and the same is recorded in UWIN. Standard protocols for various aspects of the program has been laid down. Awareness generation is promoted through IEC materials such as radio jingles, posters, banners, myth-busting digital content and social media platforms to provide accurate information and address misconceptions. Parents & beneficiaries can readinformation on the benefitsandpossible side effects of HPVvaccine onthe U-WIN portal.
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