Science & TechnologyImportant2026-02-28

Launch of National HPV Vaccination Programme

Q: Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding the National HPV Vaccination Programme?

A. 1 only — Statement 1 is correct as the programme uses a quadrivalent HPV vaccine targeting adolescent girls to prevent cervical cancer. Statement 2 is incorrect because the HPV vaccine is a recombinant DNA vaccine using Virus-Like Particles (VLPs), not an attenuated live virus.

Why focus: Flagship health scheme. Tests GS3 Sci-Tech via How-Many-Correct on Gardasil-4 vaccine properties and exact target demographics.

In News

What Happened

On February 28, 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually launched a free, nationwide Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination programme. The initiative targets 14-year-old adolescent girls and will be administered through all government health centres. It integrates a single-dose indigenous quadrivalent vaccine into the routine immunization schedule.

Why It Matters

Cervical cancer is a leading cause of cancer mortality among Indian women, largely caused by persistent high-risk HPV infections. A nationwide, free vaccination drive under the Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) significantly enhances accessibility, aiming to drastically reduce the disease burden and save thousands of lives annually.

Background

History & Context

India accounts for nearly a quarter of the world's cervical cancer deaths, prompting long-standing demands for preventive action. In 2022, the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (NTAGI) recommended the introduction of the HPV vaccine in the Universal Immunization Programme. Subsequently, India's first indigenous quadrivalent HPV vaccine, Cervavac, was developed by the Serum Institute of India, paving the way for a cost-effective national rollout.

What Changed

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BEFORE: HPV vaccines were primarily available in the private sector at high costs, making them inaccessible to the masses. NOW: The vaccine is provided free of cost at all government health centres.
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BEFORE: The Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) did not include coverage for cervical cancer prevention. NOW: HPV vaccination is officially integrated into the routine UIP schedule for adolescent girls.
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BEFORE: Multi-dose regimens were standard for HPV vaccination, complicating compliance and logistics for large-scale public health drives. NOW: The campaign utilizes a single-dose strategy for 14-year-old girls, simplifying administration and improving coverage rates.

Prelims Angle

NCERT Connection

This event directly connects to Class 12 Biology Chapter 8 (Human Health and Disease), which discusses the principles of vaccination, immunization, and cancer. The indigenous HPV vaccine is a practical application of recombinant DNA technology used to generate viral-like particles (VLPs) that trigger an immune response without causing the disease.

Practice Questions

Q1

Correct Statement(s)

Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding the National HPV Vaccination Programme?

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