Delhi Targets 1.49 Lakh HPV Vaccinations in 100 Days to Boost Cervical Cancer Prevention

Why in News ?

Delhi has launched a renewed 100-day HPV vaccination campaign with a target of vaccinating 1.49 lakh girls (14 years) after reviewing the slow progress of the first phase. The campaign will focus on government schools, awareness drives, parent counselling, and combating vaccine hesitancy to protect girls against cervical cancer.

Delhi Sets New Target of 1.49 Lakh HPV Vaccinations in 100 Days

• The Delhi Health Department has launched a renewed campaign to vaccinate 1.49 lakh girls aged 14 years within the next 100 days under India's National Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccination Programme.
• The decision follows a review of the programme's first 90 days, during which only about 13,500 girls received the vaccine in Delhi.
• Officials believe that stronger coordination with schools, awareness campaigns, and counselling of parents will significantly improve vaccination coverage.
• The nationwide HPV vaccination programme was launched on 28 February 2026 with the objective of protecting adolescent girls against cervical cancer, one of the leading causes of cancer deaths among Indian women.

Why Was a Fresh Target Needed ?

Although the vaccination programme has been running for over four months, Delhi's progress has remained slower than expected.

Major Reasons :

• School examinations delayed awareness activities.
• Summer vacations interrupted vaccination drives.
• Limited access to students during school closure.
• Vaccine hesitancy among parents.
• Spread of misinformation through social media.

After schools reopened, the Health Department decided to relaunch the campaign with greater involvement of the Education Department.

What is Government's New Strategy ?

The Delhi government is adopting a multi-pronged approach to improve vaccination coverage.

School-Based Campaign

• Awareness sessions inside government schools.
• Doctors visiting schools to educate students.
• Parent counselling meetings.
• Distribution of fresh consent forms.

Coordination with Education Department

• Meetings with Deputy Directors of Education (DDEs).
• Coordination with school principals.
• Joint implementation by teachers and healthcare workers.

Fighting Vaccine Hesitancy

The government is focusing on countering misinformation through :

• Videos by senior doctors explaining vaccine safety.
• Myth-busting campaigns on social media.
• Testimonials from women vaccinated in 2009 who later had healthy pregnancies.
• Community awareness through ASHA workers.

Officials believe that urban populations like Delhi require stronger communication strategies because health misinformation spreads rapidly through social media.

About Human Papillomavirus (HPV)

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is one of the most common viral infections affecting humans.

Important Facts

• More than 200 types of HPV exist.
• Around 40 types spread through sexual contact.
• Persistent infection with high-risk HPV types can cause cancer.
• HPV is responsible for almost 99% of cervical cancer cases.
• Some HPV types also cause cancers of the anus, vulva, vagina, penis, and throat.

Most HPV infections disappear naturally, but persistent infection with high-risk strains can develop into cancer over several years.

What is the HPV Vaccine ?

The HPV vaccine protects against the high-risk HPV types responsible for cervical cancer.

Benefits

• Prevents cervical cancer.
• Reduces HPV infection.
• Prevents precancerous cervical lesions.
• Provides long-term protection.
• Safe and highly effective.

The vaccine works best before exposure to HPV, which is why it is administered to adolescent girls.

India's National HPV Vaccination Programme

India launched the nationwide programme on 28 February 2026.

Target Group

• Girls aged 14 years

Annual Target

• Nearly 1.15 crore girls across India

Objective

• Reduce cervical cancer burden.
• Increase immunisation coverage.
• Improve women's health outcomes.
• Achieve long-term cancer prevention.

Burden of Cervical Cancer in India

According to GLOBOCAN 2022 estimates published by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) :

• Over 1.2 lakh new cervical cancer cases every year.
• Nearly 80,000 deaths annually.
• Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among Indian women.
• It remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among women.

These figures highlight the importance of both HPV vaccination and regular cervical cancer screening.

Challenges in HPV Vaccination

Despite the availability of an effective vaccine, several challenges remain :

• Vaccine hesitancy.
• Myths regarding infertility.
• Misinformation on social media.
• Lack of awareness among parents.
• School scheduling issues.
• Need for parental consent.

Public awareness remains one of the most important components of successful vaccination programmes.

Importance of School-Based Vaccination

Schools provide the most effective platform for adolescent immunisation because they enable :

• Easy identification of eligible beneficiaries.
• Direct communication with parents.
• Health education sessions.
• Higher vaccination coverage.
• Better monitoring and follow-up.

Delhi's renewed strategy therefore places government schools at the centre of the campaign.

Way Forward

• The success of Delhi's renewed HPV campaign will depend on close coordination between the Health and Education Departments, active participation of schools, and sustained public awareness efforts.
• Along with vaccination, regular cervical cancer screening and timely treatment remain essential pillars of India's strategy to reduce cervical cancer mortality.
• If the campaign achieves its target of vaccinating 1.49 lakh girls within 100 days, it could become a model for improving HPV vaccination coverage in other states.

Key Data at a Glance