Protecting The Future: PM Unveils Free HPV Vaccine Drive For 14-Year-Old Girls in Ajmer

Updated: February 27, 2026 23:47

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch a nationwide Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign from Ajmer, Rajasthan on February 28 targeting 14-year-old girls across India. The mission aims to prevent cervical cancer, offering free Gardasil-4 vaccines to about 1.15 crore beneficiaries annually through government health facilities.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the nationwide HPV vaccination campaign on Saturday, February 28 at around 11:30 am from Ajmer, Rajasthan. The initiative marks a significant milestone in India’s preventive healthcare expansion, with a strong focus on women’s health and long-term cervical cancer prevention.

The launch event will be conducted in a hybrid format, with participation from States and Union Territories through virtual connectivity. Senior health officials and administrative representatives are expected to join from various regions, ensuring nationwide coordination for smooth implementation.

Key Highlights

The programme specifically targets girls aged 14 years across the country to reduce future incidence of cervical cancer.
Approximately 1.15 crore girls are expected to be eligible annually under this initiative.
Vaccination services will be available free of cost at government health facilities including primary health centres, community health centres, sub-district hospitals and district hospitals.
The campaign will operate in mission mode for the initial three months, enabling large-scale coverage before integration into routine immunisation services.
The vaccination process will remain voluntary and require parental or guardian consent prior to administration.
Cold-chain systems and trained medical personnel will be deployed to ensure vaccine safety, proper storage, and monitoring of any rare adverse events.
India will administer Gardasil-4, a quadrivalent vaccine that protects against high-risk HPV strains responsible for cervical cancer and other HPV-related diseases.

Public Health Significance

Cervical cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among women in India. Health authorities emphasize that HPV vaccination, administered before potential exposure to the virus, is among the most effective preventive measures. The nationwide rollout reflects India’s intensified commitment toward strengthening adolescent healthcare and reducing long-term cancer burden through early immunisation.

Sources: Press Information Bureau (PIB), The Times Of India

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