India has surpassed 80 lakh HPV vaccinations as part of its preventive health campaign targeting adolescent girls, underpinning its growing role in global health diplomacy and cervical cancer prevention efforts.
India has crossed 80 lakh human papillomavirus vaccinations, the health ministry said on Friday, a milestone officials are presenting as evidence of growing momentum behind the country’s preventive health drive. The programme is aimed at reducing HPV infections, which can lead to cervical cancer and other cancers later in life.
The government’s campaign is focused on girls aged 14 and uses a single-dose Gardasil 4 vaccine, which protects against HPV types 16 and 18, the strains most closely linked to cervical cancer, as well as types 6 and 11. Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the nationwide drive in Ajmer, Rajasthan, on February 28.
The announcement comes a day after the Supreme Court declined to hear a public interest petition challenging the rollout of the vaccination campaign for adolescent girls. According to the court proceedings reported by India TV News, the bench said ordinary compensation rules would apply in cases of incorrect vaccination and criticised the plea as lacking good faith. The petitioner later withdrew the case.
The milestone also sits within India’s broader push to position itself as a vaccine supplier and public-health partner beyond its borders. Last year, Modi pledged support for Quad efforts against cervical cancer in the Indo-Pacific, including a contribution worth $7.5 million and 40 million vaccine doses, underscoring how cervical cancer prevention has become part of the country’s wider health diplomacy.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
