PM Modi to Launch Nationwide HPV Vaccination Drive from Ajmer on February 28
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate a comprehensive nationwide Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign, commencing from the historic city of Ajmer in Rajasthan on February 28, 2026. This landmark public health initiative aims to protect millions of young girls and women across India from cervical cancer and other HPV-related diseases.
Preparations for Seamless Vaccine Rollout
The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has undertaken extensive preparations to ensure the successful implementation of this critical vaccination drive. Adequate vaccine doses, precisely commensurate with the target cohort of each state and union territory, have already been supplied and distributed to healthcare facilities nationwide. This proactive supply chain management is designed to prevent any shortages and facilitate uninterrupted access to the vaccine from the very first day of the campaign.
Furthermore, a massive training program has been conducted for healthcare staff, including doctors, nurses, and frontline workers, across all regions. This training focuses on vaccine administration protocols, cold chain management, community mobilization strategies, and effective communication to address vaccine hesitancy. The goal is to ensure a seamless rollout and efficient last-mile distribution, reaching even the most remote and underserved areas of the country.
Strategic Importance and Expected Impact
The launch from Ajmer holds significant symbolic and strategic importance. Ajmer, a major cultural and pilgrimage center, represents the government's commitment to inclusive healthcare that reaches every corner of India. This initiative is part of a broader national effort to eliminate cervical cancer, which is one of the most common cancers among women in India.
By vaccinating the target cohort—primarily adolescent girls—the drive aims to build long-term immunity and drastically reduce the future incidence of cervical cancer. Public health experts have hailed this as a transformative step that could save countless lives and reduce the economic burden of cancer treatment on families and the healthcare system.
The government has also established a robust monitoring and evaluation framework to track vaccination coverage, adverse events, and overall program effectiveness. Regular updates and transparent reporting will be maintained to build public trust and ensure accountability.
As the nation prepares for this historic launch, all states and union territories are on high alert, with their healthcare machinery fully activated to support the vaccination drive from day one. The success of this campaign could set a global benchmark for large-scale HPV vaccination programs.
