National HPV Vaccination Drive for Cervical Cancer Prevention

Exam-focused facts from the 27 February 2026 current affairs briefing.

Key facts

The Union Health Ministry will launch a special HPV vaccination campaign for 14-year-old girls later this month.
During the first 90 days girls aged 14 years as per their date of birth can receive the single-dose MSD Gardasil vaccine free at government health centres.
After the initial 90-day campaign girls aged 14 years can book vaccination slots through the U-win portal at their nearest health and wellness centre.
The drive will cover 1.15 crore girls who turn 14 each year.
GAVI vaccine alliance is supplying 2.6 crore doses of Gardasil to India of which 1 crore doses have already arrived.
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) is continuing studies on a one-dose regimen using the indigenous Serum Institute of India (SII) Cervavac vaccine.