In advance of India’s nationwide human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign scheduled to begin on February 28, 2026, Haryana has taken early steps by distributing 1,14,000 doses of the Gardasil HPV vaccine across the state’s districts.
The campaign, part of a special national initiative to prevent cervical cancer, will focus on adolescent girls aged 14 but not yet 15 and run for about three months.
Under the state plan, each of Haryana’s districts has been given 2,000 vaccine doses to kickstart preparations. Officials estimate that around 3 lakh girls will be vaccinated statewide this year as part of the phased rollout.
The launch will begin at district hospitals, which have been designated as primary sites for initial vaccination sessions. At each launch session, at least 50 eligible girls are expected to receive the vaccine. After the district launches, the programme will expand to include community health centres, primary health centres, and urban polyclinics once the national launch event has concluded.
Only facilities with posted medical officers and proper cold-chain infrastructure—such as deep freezers and vaccine carriers—will be eligible to conduct vaccination sessions. Preparations also include ensuring a vaccinator, verifier, mobilisation support and a medical officer are present at each session.
Vaccinations will be administered as a single 0.5 ml intramuscular dose of Gardasil, a quadrivalent vaccine produced by MSD that protects against the high-risk HPV strains responsible for the majority of cervical cancers. Post-vaccination, girls will be observed for at least 30 minutes to monitor for immediate reactions, and their left index finger will be marked to prevent duplication.
All vaccination data will be entered into the U-WIN digital portal, with consent obtained through OTP-based digital consent or written parental approval, and beneficiaries will receive digital vaccination certificates.
The vaccine is believed to be most effective when given before exposure to HPV and before the onset of sexual activity, making early adolescent immunisation a key preventive strategy. This campaign is expected to contribute to a significant reduction in cervical cancer cases in the coming decades while promoting broader health equity for girls across India.
Also Read