On May 30, 2026, the government of West Bengal initiated a comprehensive Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign aimed at safeguarding adolescent girls from cervical cancer. The campaign, inaugurated by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, aims to cover approximately 765,000 girls aged 14 throughout the state.
This initiative aligns with the national HPV vaccination program launched earlier this year, reinforcing efforts to eradicate cervical cancer as a significant public health issue. The vaccination is voluntary and free, requiring parental or guardian consent under the national framework.
Officials stated that the program will administer a single dose of the quadrivalent Gardasil-4 vaccine to girls who have turned 14 but are not yet 15. This service will be available at 881 designated government health facilities, including medical colleges and district hospitals.
Cervical cancer remains a prevalent health challenge in India, being the second most common cancer among women, with over 120,000 new cases and nearly 80,000 deaths annually, according to the WHO GLOBOCAN report of 2022. Persistent infection with high-risk HPV types 16 and 18 is the primary cause of this cancer.
The HPV vaccination campaign is designed to protect girls before exposure to the virus. The government asserts the vaccine’s safety and efficacy, offering long-lasting protection against the HPV strains responsible for most cervical cancer cases.
Beneficiaries can register and schedule vaccinations via the U-WIN digital platform or opt for walk-in sessions at designated facilities. Parental consent is mandatory, recorded digitally, or in hard copy where digital access is unavailable. The U-WIN system will manage registration and reporting, while the e-VIN portal will handle vaccine logistics.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, May 31, 2026
Follow SouthAsianDesk on X, Instagram and Facebook for insights on business and current affairs from across South Asia.
