India Launches Free HPV Vaccination
Analysis based on 7 articles · First reported Feb 24, 2026 · Last updated Feb 24, 2026
The launch of India's nationwide HPV vaccination program is expected to significantly boost the market for HPV vaccines, directly benefiting companies like Merck & Co. (manufacturer of Gardasil). This initiative also highlights a growing focus on preventive healthcare in India, potentially leading to increased investment and innovation in the healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors.
India is set to launch a nationwide Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination program, targeting girls aged 14 years, to combat cervical cancer. The program will be voluntary and free of cost, utilizing Merck & Co.'s Gardasil vaccine, which protects against HPV types 16, 18, 6, and 11. This initiative aligns with recommendations from the World Health Organization and the Australia — Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation. India has partnered with GAVI, to secure vaccine supplies. The program aims to significantly reduce the burden of cervical cancer, which is the second most common cancer among women in India, with nearly 80,000 new cases and over 42,000 deaths annually. The vaccine will be administered at designated government health facilities, with trained medical officers and support teams ensuring safety and post-vaccination observation. This move follows an announcement by finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman in the 2024 budget speech.
Set up alerts, explore entity relationships, search across thousands of events, and build custom intelligence feeds.
Open Dashboard