Parliament Question: Parental Consent for HPV Vaccination

GOVERNMENT OFINDIA MINISTRYOFHEALTH ANDFAMILYWELFARE DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH ANDFAMILYWELFARE LOK SABHA UNSTARREDQUESTION NO. 4703 TOBE ANSWERED ON20th MARCH 2026 PARENTALCONSENT FORHPVVACCINATION

4703.SHRIVIJAYAKUMARALIAS VIJAYVASANTH:

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE be pleasedtostate:

(a) whether the Government has ensured strict enforcement of mandatory parental consent before administering HPV vaccines to girls aged 14 years, if so, the details thereof along with the monitoringmechanism established andcomplianceinthisregard;

(b) whether the HPV vaccination programme remains fully voluntary across all States and Union Territories, if so, the details thereof along with the safeguards introduced by the Government to preventcoercionor indirect pressure on beneficiaries;

(c) whether the Government has conducted adequate awareness campaignsto educate parents about the benefits, risks and possible side effects of HPV vaccination, if so, the details thereof and the State-wise outreach strategy;

(d) whether the Government has established adverse event monitoring and medical response systems during the nationwide vaccination drive, if so, the details thereof along with the emergency preparedness measures andthe reporting protocol inthisregard; and

(e) whether sufficient vaccine supply and cold-chain infrastructure have been ensured for uninterrupted implementation of the three-month campaign in the country, if so, the details thereof alongwith the logistical arrangementsmade inthisregard? ANSWER THE MINISTEROFSTATE IN THE MINISTRYOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE (SMT.ANUPRIYAPATEL)

(a) & (b) The Nationwide free HPVvaccination campaign was launchedon 28th February 2026 for approximately 1.2 crore eligible beneficiary girls aged 14 years across all 36 States and Union Territories. HPV vaccination is voluntary and parental consent is mandatory before administration of vaccine. Beneficiaries may self-register andschedule an appointment for HPVvaccination on U- WINor directlywalk-in tothe governmenthealthfacility.

(c)Awareness generation ispromoted through IEC materials such as radiojingles, posters including AEFI poster, banners, myth-busting digital content and use of social media platforms to provide accurate information,address misconceptions andensure equitable access. Parentsandbeneficiariescan read information on the benefits and possible side effects of HPV vaccine, this information is

provided under “General Information on Routine Vaccines under the Universal Immunization Programmefor Citizens” onthe U-WIN portal.

(d) The vaccine is administered at designated Government health facilities including Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (AAMs) - Primary Health Centres (PHCs), Community Health Centres (CHCs), Sub-District Hospitals (SDHs), District Hospitals (DHs) and Government Medical Colleges and Hospitals (GMCHs) in the presence of medical officers. The extensive training on HPVvaccination for medical and paramedical staff across all 36 States/UTs in the country has been completed. The vaccination sites are linked to 24x7 Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFI) Management Centers for prompt management of adverse events, if any. A system is in place for reporting, investigation,andcausality assessment of AEFIevents.

(e) The Government of India has secured HPV vaccine as kind support from GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance. ******