India crosses 80 lakh HPV vaccinations
New Delhi: India has crossed the milestone of 80 lakh Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccinations, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said on Friday. The Ministry described the achievement as an important step towards strengthening preventive healthcare and expanding protection against HPV infections and HPV-associated cancers.
In a post on X, the Health Ministry said that every vaccination represents another step towards a healthier future for the country's daughters.
Nationwide HPV vaccination campaign
The nationwide HPV vaccination campaign for girls aged 14 years and above was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Ajmer, Rajasthan, in February 2026. The programme aims to expand access to HPV vaccination among adolescent girls and strengthen efforts to prevent cervical cancer among women in India. By increasing vaccination coverage, the initiative seeks to protect more girls from HPV infections and help reduce the future burden of cervical cancer.
HPV vaccine seen as important tool against cervical cancer
Indian-American radiation oncologist Dattatreyudu Nori, who was conferred the Padma Bhushan in 2026, has also highlighted the potential of HPV vaccination in India's fight against cervical cancer. Nori described cervical cancer as a preventable, detectable, treatable and curable disease and said wider vaccination could significantly strengthen prevention efforts.
He has also pointed to improvements in India's cancer-care infrastructure, including the establishment of the National Cancer Institute and expansion of treatment facilities.
Focus on prevention
The 80-lakh vaccination milestone comes as India continues to focus on preventive healthcare and early protection against HPV-related diseases. Greater vaccination coverage among eligible girls could play an important role in reducing the long-term risk of cervical cancer, alongside screening, early detection and timely treatment.
