Cervical Cancer Vaccination Campaign Launched

1. At a Glance

• Free nationwide HPV vaccination drive for ~1.15 crore girls aged 14, launched 28 Feb 2026, targeting prevention of cervical cancer — the 2nd most common cancer among Indian women [1][2].
• Single-dose Gardasil-4 (quadrivalent) vaccine, 93–100% effective against HPV types causing cervical cancer; integrates HPV into India's Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) [1][2].
• Aligns India with WHO's 90-70-90 cervical cancer elimination strategy by 2030, joining 160+ countries with HPV in national schedules [1][3].

2. Why in the News

• PM Narendra Modi launched the nationwide HPV Vaccination Programme on 28 February 2026 at Ajmer, Rajasthan; States/UTs held simultaneous launch events the same day [1][2].
• Marks operationalisation of the 2024 Interim Budget announcement to encourage HPV vaccination for girls aged 9–14.

3. Background & Evolution

• 2008: HPV vaccines first available in India (private market).
• 2009: PATH-ICMR demonstration project in AP & Gujarat halted after adverse-event controversy.
• 2017: Punjab, Sikkim, Delhi introduced HPV in state immunisation schedules.
• Sept 2022: Serum Institute of India launched CERVAVAC, India's first indigenously developed quadrivalent HPV vaccine [5].
• Feb 2024: Interim Union Budget announced HPV vaccination push for girls 9–14.
• Nov 2024: WHO HQ briefing — Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda reaffirmed India's commitment to cervical cancer elimination [4].
• 28 Feb 2026: Nationwide rollout under UIP from Ajmer [1][2].

4. Core Static Facts

• Implementing Ministry: Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW), via Universal Immunization Programme.
• Vaccine used: Gardasil-4 (quadrivalent) — protects against HPV types 6, 11, 16, 18 [2].
• Schedule: Single dose [1].
• Target cohort: Girls aged 14 years (≈1.15 crore); girls turning 15 within 90 days of launch also eligible [1][2].
• Campaign window: 90-day intensive drive; thereafter on routine immunisation days [2].
• Efficacy: 93–100% against cervical-cancer-causing HPV types [1].
• Global reach: 160+ countries already include HPV in national schedules [1].
• Launch site: Ajmer, Rajasthan [1].

5. Multi-Dimensional Analysis

Social / Gender

• Cervical cancer accounts for ~1/5 of global cervical cancer deaths in India; disease of poverty, late detection.
• Targets adolescent girls — addresses gender-equity health gap; school-based delivery aids inclusion of out-of-school cohorts.

Scientific / Technological

• Single-dose efficacy validated by WHO SAGE (2022) — reduces cost & logistics vs 2-dose schedule [1].
• Indigenous CERVAVAC (SII) provides supply sovereignty; current campaign uses Gardasil-4 [5].

Economic

• WHO modelling: every USD 1 invested in elimination returns USD 10.53 over 30 years, USD 28.29 over 50 years [3].
• India's 10-year strategy cost estimate: ~USD 1.99 billion (1-dose + twice-lifetime screening) [3].

Governance / Administrative

• Federal cooperative model — Centre supplies vaccine; States execute via UIP cold chain, ASHA/ANM workforce.
• Integration with U-WIN digital platform for tracking.

Ethical

• Echoes of 2009 PATH-ICMR controversy → emphasis on informed consent, AEFI surveillance.

6. Recent Developments

• Feb 2024: Interim Budget signal on HPV vaccination for girls 9–14.
• 27 Feb 2026: PIB curtain-raiser for Ajmer launch [6].
• 28 Feb 2026: Nationwide launch; all States/UTs simultaneous events [1][2].
• Post-launch: MoHFW issued update on National HPV Vaccination Programme progress [7].

7. Prelims Hooks

• Cervical cancer is the 2nd most common cancer among women in India [1].
• Vaccine used in national programme: Gardasil-4 (quadrivalent) — covers HPV 6, 11, 16, 18 [2].
• Single-dose regimen; efficacy 93–100% [1].
• Target: 1.15 crore girls aged 14 [1].
• Launched 28 Feb 2026, Ajmer, Rajasthan by PM Modi [1].
• India is the 160th+ country to add HPV to national immunisation schedule [1].
• CERVAVAC — India's first indigenously developed HPV vaccine, by Serum Institute of India (2022) [5].
• WHO elimination targets: 90% HPV-vaccinated, 70% screened, 90% treated by 2030 [3].
• Programme runs under Universal Immunization Programme (UIP); tracked via U-WIN.
• Implementing ministry: MoHFW (not Women & Child Development).
• HPV types 16 & 18 cause ~70% of cervical cancers [3].
• Intensive drive duration: 90 days [2].
• Girls turning 15 within 90 days of launch are also eligible [2].

8. Mains Relevance

• GS-II: Government policies & interventions in Health; Issues relating to development of Social sectors — Health.
• GS-III: Science & Technology — indigenous vaccine development; achievements of Indians in S&T.
• GS-I (Society): Women's health, social determinants.

Probable stems:

1. "Discuss how India's nationwide HPV vaccination campaign advances the WHO 90-70-90 cervical cancer elimination targets. What implementation challenges remain?"
2. "Indigenous vaccine development is central to India's health sovereignty. Evaluate in light of CERVAVAC and the national HPV programme."
3. "Examine the role of the Universal Immunization Programme in addressing the non-communicable disease burden among women in India."

9. Related Topics to Study Next

• Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) & Mission Indradhanush — delivery vehicle.
• U-WIN platform — digital immunisation tracking.
• CERVAVAC / Serum Institute of India — indigenous vaccine ecosystem.
• WHO Global Strategy for Cervical Cancer Elimination (2020) — 90-70-90.
• National Programme for Prevention & Control of NCDs (NP-NCD) — screening pillar.
• Ayushman Bharat – Health & Wellness Centres — community screening platform.
• PMJAY — treatment financing for cancer.
• Gavi Alliance / IA2030 — global immunisation agenda.

10. Common Errors / Trap Areas

• Vaccine in nationwide rollout is Gardasil-4, not CERVAVAC (often confused).
• HPV vaccine is delivered under MoHFW/UIP, not under WCD/Beti Bachao.
• It is a single-dose schedule (per WHO SAGE 2022) — not 2 or 3 doses.
• Cervical cancer is the 2nd most common cancer in Indian women (breast is 1st) — not the most common.
• HPV vaccine prevents infection; it is not therapeutic for existing cancer.