Munish Sood
Mandi
National Health Mission Himachal Pradesh will begin a three-month statewide Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign from March 29, 2026, targeting 14-year-old girls to prevent cervical cancer, with catch-up sessions continuing till June 21. The drive will be conducted exclusively at designated government health facilities equipped with cold chain infrastructure and trained medical staff.
Speaking to Newz Radar, Dr Alok Sharma, National Faculty for HPV Vaccination, said the campaign is a focused public health intervention aimed at protecting adolescent girls before exposure to the virus. “Cervical cancer is almost entirely preventable through timely vaccination. The single-dose HPV vaccine provides strong, long-lasting protection and is scientifically proven to reduce the risk of cervical cancer by over 90 percent,” he said.
Clear Target Group and Timeline
The campaign will cover girls who have completed 14 years but not yet completed 15 years, with a special age relaxation of up to 15 years plus 90 days during the campaign period. Eligible beneficiaries are those born between March 22, 2011 and June 21, 2012.
Vaccination days have been scheduled for:
• March 29, 2026
• April 5, 2026
• April 12, 2026
• Catch-up sessions on April 19, May 10, May 24 and June 21
After the campaign phase, vaccination will continue during routine immunisation sessions at the same facilities.
Why Only 14-Year-Old Girls?
Dr Sharma clarified that India is initially focusing on a single age cohort due to global vaccine supply constraints. “The objective is to ensure that girls who are about to cross the upper eligibility age are protected first. Vaccinating girls at this age offers the strongest and most durable immune response,” he explained.
HPV infection is the most common viral infection of the reproductive tract and spreads through intimate skin-to-skin contact. While most infections clear naturally, persistent infection with high-risk HPV types can lead to cervical cancer over a period of 5 to 20 years.
Disease Burden: A Serious Concern
Globally, cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer among women. In 2022 alone, there were 6.62 lakh new cases and 3.48 lakh deaths worldwide.
In India, cervical cancer remains the second leading cancer among women, with 79,103 new cases and 34,805 deaths recorded in 2022. High-risk HPV types 16 and 18 account for nearly 83 percent of cervical cancer cases in India, making vaccination a critical preventive tool.
Vaccine Details and Safety
The campaign will use Gardasil-4, a quadrivalent vaccine protecting against HPV types 6, 11, 16 and 18. The vaccine will be administered as a single 0.5 ml intramuscular injection in the left upper arm.
Dr Sharma emphasised that more than 50 crore doses of HPV vaccines have been administered globally since 2006. “Extensive safety monitoring has shown the vaccine to be highly safe. Minor reactions such as pain at injection site or anxiety-related fainting may occur, but serious reactions are extremely rare,” he said.
All vaccination sites in Himachal Pradesh will have anaphylaxis kits and beneficiaries will be observed for 30 minutes post-vaccination to monitor any immediate adverse events.
Registration and Monitoring
Girls can be registered through the U-WIN digital platform, either via self-registration by parents or onsite registration at vaccination centres. Consent will be digitally recorded.
Each vaccination site (Cold Chain Point) has been linked to the nearest 24×7 health institution to manage any adverse event following immunisation (AEFI). The state government will issue formal orders to ensure emergency preparedness.
Role of Education Department
The Education Department has been directed to:
• Discuss HPV vaccination during Parent-Teacher Meetings scheduled on February 28
• Share beneficiary lists with health officials
• Assist in mobilising girls to vaccination centres
• Support AEFI reporting if required
Who Should Not Take the Vaccine?
Vaccination will be postponed in case of moderate or severe illness. Pregnant girls, those outside the eligible age group, or those with a prior severe allergic reaction to vaccine components will not be vaccinated. Girls previously vaccinated will have their status recorded on U-WIN.
Dr Alok Sharma said the campaign marks a major preventive step for Himachal Pradesh. “If we achieve high coverage in this age group, we can significantly reduce cervical cancer burden in the coming decades. This is an investment in the health of future generations,” he stated.
With coordinated efforts between the Health and Education departments, Himachal Pradesh is preparing for a structured, closely monitored HPV vaccination rollout aimed at long-term elimination of cervical cancer as a public health problem.
