The district health department has begun rolling out the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine at primary health centres (PHCs) and urban primary health centres (UPHCs) in Gurugram, offering free Gardasil‑4 doses to 14‑year‑old girls. The drive, which started on February 26, 2026, at the Civil Hospital in Sector 10A and at sub‑divisional hospitals in Sohna, Pataudi and Farrukh Nagar, has been expanded to include about 30 UPHCs, PHCs and a polyclinic in Sector 31, officials said.
Dr Lokveer Singh, chief medical officer of Gurugram, said the move aims to strengthen immunisation coverage against cervical cancer. “The first phase is focused on providing a free vaccination shot to teenage girls aged 14, which usually costs around ₹4,000 or more at private health facilities. The vaccine is used to protect against four high‑risk HPV types (6, 11, 16, 18),” he said.
Phase one targets roughly 30,000 girls by May 31, 2026. The health department told Hindustan Times that around 316 girls had received HPV doses at the district’s government hospitals until April 3, 2026. Officials noted the district initially received about 3,000 HPV doses when the campaign began in February.
Officials attributed the slow early turnout to vaccine hesitancy, limited awareness among the target group, social stigma and school examinations. “The district task force is taking regular meetings to review the rollout status. Anyone can book appointments and receive immunisation at most of the 41 health facilities, barring a few where cold‑storage‑related issues persist,” said Dr Jayprakash Rajliwal, deputy civil surgeon.
To improve reach, repeated letters have been sent to the district education department requesting lists of beneficiary girls from government and private schools to enable targeted awareness drives and vaccination camps. A directive issued earlier this week asks schools to encourage girls and their parents to take the dose and to address queries at parent‑teacher meetings, district elementary educational officer Saroj Dahia said, adding that the directions have been forwarded to schools.
Between April 2025 and March 2026, health department data show about 62,000 cervical cancer screenings using VIA (visual inspection with acetic acid) and Pap smear tests were conducted in the district, bringing cumulative screenings to roughly 200,000. Health officials say vaccination and regular screening together are key to preventing cervical cancer and improving women’s health outcomes in the district.
Original Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/gurugram-news/gurugram-rolls-out-free-hpv-vaccination-at-phcs-uphcs-101775238833448.html
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Publish Date: 2026-04-04 03:06:00
