Home / Health / Gurugram Offers Free HPV Shots to 14-Year-Old Girls
Gurugram Offers Free HPV Shots to 14-Year-Old Girls
4 Apr
Summary
- Free Gardasil-4 shots for 14-year-old girls commenced February 26.
- The campaign aims to immunize approximately 30,000 girls by May 31.
- Initial low turnout attributed to vaccine hesitancy and awareness gaps.
A significant vaccination drive providing free Gardasil-4 shots to 14-year-old girls commenced on February 26, with initial vaccinations administered at the Civil Hospital in Sector 10A and various sub-divisional hospitals. This campaign is expanding to include approximately 30 additional health facilities across Gurugram.
The primary objective is to enhance immunization rates against cervical cancer, a disease primarily affecting women. The free vaccine targets four high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) types, which are commonly associated with serious health risks. Health officials aim to immunize around 30,000 girls by May 31.
As of the current date, approximately 316 girls have received their HPV doses. Officials attribute the slow initial uptake to factors such as vaccine hesitancy, limited awareness, social stigma, and school examinations. Efforts are underway to boost participation through collaboration with the education department.
Schools are being urged to encourage eligible girls and their parents to avail the vaccination, with health officials addressing queries during parent-teacher meetings. Approximately 62,000 screenings for cervical cancer were also conducted between April 2025 and March 2026.
