Today marks a historic milestone as the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, launched the nationwide HPV vaccination campaign against cervical cancer. The national launch event was organised in Ajmer, Rajasthan.
With this initiative, the HPV vaccine has now been included in the National Immunization Programme and will be provided free of cost to eligible girls across the country. In UT Chandigarh, the HPV vaccination campaign was formally launched by the Hon’ble Governor of Punjab and Administrator, UT Chandigarh, Shri Gulab Chand Kataria, on 28 February 2026.
The launch event was held at the Model Immunization Centre, Government Multi-Speciality Hospital, following the national launch by the Hon’ble Prime Minister from Ajmer, Rajasthan. The inaugural function was attended by Principal Secretary to Governor Shri V.P. Singh, Secretary Health Shri Mandip Singh Brar, Director Health Services Dr. Suman Singh, and other senior officers of the Health Department. Representatives from leading institutions and organisations including Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Government Medical College and Hospital, World Health Organization, United Nations Development Programme, John Snow India, and the Social Welfare Department were also present.
Special arrangements were made for vaccinating eligible girls on the inaugural day. Vaccinated beneficiaries were presented with vaccination certificates and gift hampers by the dignitaries. Refreshments were also arranged for the girls and their accompanying parents and guardians. A total of 13 girls were vaccinated on the first day. All beneficiary data was uploaded on the U-WIN portal, and vaccination certificates were generated on-site.
The Gardasil-4 vaccine was administered, which is highly effective in preventing cervical cancer in women. The HPV vaccine will be given as a single dose to girls who have completed 14 years of age but have not yet turned 15.
The HPV vaccination campaign will continue for three months, and the vaccine will be available free of cost at all Government health facilities in Chandigarh. The Immunization Department, UT Chandigarh, has completed all necessary preparations, including trainings, workshops, and logistics arrangements, to ensure smooth implementation of this major public health initiative.
The Health Department, Chandigarh, expresses gratitude to citizens for their continued support of immunization services and urges parents to ensure that their 14-year-old daughters receive the Gardasil-4 HPV vaccine.