India’s move to introduce a nationwide Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination programme, for girls aged 14, strikes a strident note for science at a time when an anti-vaccination sentiment has perilously picked up favourable winds, globally. These two types together account for more than 80% of cervical cancer cases in India. Globally, over 90 countries are implementing single-dose HPV vaccination schedules. Cervical cancer remains a rare cancer where a vaccine has proven to be of great preventive value. However, India’s dark past with an HPV vaccine trial cannot be forgotten.

Source: The Hindu February 26, 2026 01:25 UTC