Parliament Question: Nationwide HPV vaccination programme for prevention of Cervical Cancer

GOVERNMENTOFINDIA MINISTRYOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE DEPARTMENT OFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE RAJYASABHA UNSTARREDQUESTION NO. 3638 TO BE ANSWERED ON 24thMARCH 2026 NATIONWIDEHPVVACCINATION PROGRAMME FORPREVENTION OFCERVICAL CANCER 3638.DR. MEDHAVISHRAM KULKARNI : Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE be pleasedtostate: (a) whether the Prime Minister has launched a nationwide Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccination Programmefor prevention of cervicalcanceramongadolescent girlsinthe country; (b) if so, the details of the target beneficiaries including the number of girls proposed to be covered annuallyacross Statesand Union Territories; (c) whether the vaccine is being administered free of cost through Government health facilities includingAyushman Arogya Mandirs; and (d) if so, the details of implementation strategy, progress achieved so far and the steps taken to integratethe programme intothe routine immunisation system? ANSWER THE MINISTER OFSTATE INTHE MINISTRYOFHEALTH ANDFAMILYWELFARE (SMT.ANUPRIYAPATEL) (a) to (d) The Hon’ble Prime Minister has launched Nationwide free HPV vaccination campaign on 28th February 2026 for approximately 1.2 crore eligible beneficiary girls aged 14 years across all 36 States and Union Territories. The vaccine is administered free of cost at government health facilities, including Ayushman Arogya Mandirs- Primary Health Centres (PHCs), Community Health Centers (CHCs), Sub-District Hospitals (SDH)/District Hospitals (DHs) & Government Medical Colleges (GMCs) in presence of medical officer. Training of medical and paramedical staff across all 36 States/UTs in the country has been completed. HPV vaccination is voluntary and parental consent is mandatory before administration of vaccine. As on 19th March 2026, a total of 4,09,794 girls have beenadministeredthe HPVvaccine. ******