Maharashtra to vaccinate 9.84 lakh 14-year-olds in HPV drive

Maharashtra is kicking off a three-month HPV vaccination drive to immunize 9.84 lakh girls aged 14. A single 0.5 ml dose of Gardasil-4 will be given, with vaccination starting on Saturday, February 28, 2026, at Nair Hospital in Mumbai. The vaccine campaign is part of a nationwide HPV immunisation programme.

To ensure smooth enrollment, the health department has arranged digital registration and certificate issuance through the Central Government’s U-WIN portal. The drive is voluntary, and parental consent is required. The aim is to prevent cervical cancer in the future by vaccinating girls who are 14 but have not yet turned 15.

As per plan, 9,84,414 eligible girls in the state will be reached. The process includes a small mark on the nail of the left little finger after vaccination to maintain records. After vaccination, common side effects like fever, headache, or swelling at the injection site may occur but typically resolve quickly.

Nationally, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the campaign, with the inauguration held in Ajmer, Rajasthan. The nationwide drive seeks to protect 14-year-old girls across the country from cervical cancer, a disease still posing a significant health concern in India.

Health officials stress that while the vaccine is a powerful preventive tool, continued awareness and consent are essential for wide uptake across diverse communities.

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