India, March 31 -- image credit- freepik

The Government of India launched a three-month nationwide Human Papillomavirus Vaccination (HPV) Programme on February 28, 2026, for the prevention of cervical cancer among women. The campaign was launched for 14-year-old girls from Ajmer, Rajasthan, marking a historic milestone in India's fight against cervical cancer.

The single dose Gardasil-4 vaccine is a World Health Organisation (WHO) pre-qualified vaccine used in immunisation programmes across the world, and is now being given to adolescent girls aged 14 years.

The free of cost vaccine will be available at all government primary and community health centres, district and sub-district hospitals, and government medical colleges and hospital...