Centre Plans Nationwide Single-Dose HPV Vaccination Drive for Girls Aged 9–14
India is preparing to launch a countrywide immunisation programme targeting young girls to protect them against human papillomavirus (HPV), a leading cause of cervical cancer.
According to sources familiar with the development, the government has opted for a single-dose schedule instead of the previously recommended two-dose course, aligning its strategy with guidance from the World Health Organisation’s Strategic Advisory Group of Experts (SAGE) on immunisation.
HPV infection is responsible for nearly 85% of cervical cancer cases.
Cervical cancer remains the second most prevalent cancer among women in India, affecting approximately 1.25 lakh women annually and claiming around 75,000 lives each year — making prevention a major public health priority.
Phased Rollout Across Three Cohorts
The proposed campaign will initially focus on girls aged 9 to 14 years under a one-time “catch-up” initiative.
Following this phase, the vaccine is expected to be incorporated into the routine immunisation schedule for girls once they turn nine.
Officials indicate that the rollout will be staggered over three years. Roughly one-third of eligible girls in the 9–14 age bracket will be vaccinated each year.
During this period, children who newly enter the eligible age group — turning nine in regions where the catch-up round has already been completed — will also receive the vaccine.
An estimated eight crore girls nationwide fall within the 9–14 age range. Divided over three years, approximately 2.6 crore girls are likely to be covered in the first year alone.
In subsequent years, an additional 50 lakh to one crore girls who turn nine annually in previously covered areas will also be included.
The campaign will utilise schools as primary delivery centres, alongside existing government vaccination facilities.
Scientific Backing for Single-Dose Strategy
HPV vaccines were initially cleared based on evidence showing their effectiveness in preventing viral infection.
Subsequent studies conducted in Sweden and England during 2020–21 demonstrated that vaccination during adolescence could reduce the risk of cervical cancer by more than 85% by the age of 30.
Although the vaccines currently licensed in India are approved under a two-dose schedule, emerging research suggests that a single injection may provide comparable protection against HPV infection and related cancers.
Earlier expert discussions had proposed administering the second dose after a longer interval — three to five years following the first — allowing time for additional scientific evidence to be gathered.
If long-term data confirms the adequacy of one dose, the follow-up shot may not be required.
The WHO’s advisory group had recommended extending the gap between doses in countries introducing HPV immunisation, especially during periods of supply constraints.
This guidance was informed by experiences in the United Kingdom and Quebec, Canada, where extended intervals between doses produced antibody levels similar to those seen in the conventional six-month dosing schedule.
Policy Push from the Centre
The push for HPV vaccination gained momentum after Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, in her 2024 interim Budget speech, announced that the government would promote immunisation against HPV as part of broader efforts to improve women’s health outcomes.
With the single-dose decision, India appears set to adopt a more accessible and logistically streamlined approach, potentially accelerating coverage and reducing the burden of cervical cancer in the years ahead.
