HPV Vaccination Drive for 14-Year-Old Girls to Commence from February 28th: DC Sachin Gupta

Rohtak, February 25, 2026: Deputy Commissioner Sachin Gupta informed that the government has decided to launch a Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign for adolescent girls aged 14 to 15 years, with the objective of preventing cervical cancer. The vaccination drive will commence on February 28, 2026, at the General Hospital, Rohtak.

Chairing a coordination meeting of all stakeholders, the Deputy Commissioner issued detailed directions to ensure the safe, smooth and effective implementation of the campaign. He emphasised that the programme is a preventive public health initiative aimed at safeguarding the long-term health of adolescent girls.

The Deputy Commissioner clarified that:
• The vaccine will be provided completely free of cost
• It will be administered as a single-dose vaccine
• Eligible beneficiaries include:
• Girls who have completed 14 years of age on or before February 28, 2025
• Girls who will complete 15 years of age before March 1, 2026

Thus, all eligible girls in the 14–15 age group will be covered under this initiative. In the first phase, vaccination will be carried out at the General Hospital, Rohtak, by trained healthcare professionals, strictly following prescribed medical protocols and safety standards.

The Deputy Commissioner said that HPV infection is one of the primary causes of cervical cancer, a disease that often progresses silently without early symptoms. Medical experts have established that timely HPV vaccination significantly reduces the risk of cervical cancer, making early preventive intervention crucial.

He explained that HPV infection can alter the DNA of cervical cells, increasing the likelihood of cancer over time. Vaccination during adolescence, before exposure to the virus, offers the highest level of protection.

Calling for collective support, the Deputy Commissioner appealed to parents, teachers, community leaders and social organisations to actively cooperate with the administration and encourage eligible girls to receive the vaccine.

He emphasised that the HPV vaccination drive is a critical investment in the health, dignity and future of young girls, and timely participation will help protect them from a preventable form of cancer.

The meeting was attended by Civil Surgeon Dr. Ramesh Chandra Arya, District Immunisation Officer Dr. Satyawan, Nodal Officer (Immunisation) Dr. Pratibha, senior medical officers from all health blocks, and representatives from the Education Department, Women and Child Development Department, and other concerned departments, who assured full coordination for successful execution of the campaign.