CM Sukhu Launches Free HPV Vaccination for 65,000 HP Girls
Synopsis
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has announced a free HPV vaccination campaign for around 65,000 girls aged 14–15, backed by an outlay of Rs 2.30 crore, to protect adolescents from cervical cancer and strengthen the state's preventive health framework.
Key Takeaways
Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu announced a free HPV vaccination campaign on 1 July 2026 .
The drive targets approximately 65,000 girls in the 14–15 year age group across the state.
The state government has earmarked nearly Rs 2.30 crore for the campaign.
The initiative aims to protect adolescent girls from cervical cancer , caused by the Human Papillomavirus.
The campaign aligns with the Government of India's 2023 decision to include HPV vaccine in the Universal Immunization Programme .
Implementation is expected through schools and community health centres across Himachal Pradesh .
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu announced on Wednesday, 1 July 2026 that the state government is running a free HPV (Human Papillomavirus) vaccination campaign targeting approximately 65,000 girls aged 14–15 years, with an outlay of nearly Rs 2.30 crore, to protect adolescent girls from cervical cancer.
Context
Posting in Hindi on X, Chief Minister Sukhu stated: 'स्वस्थ बेटियाँ ही स्वस्थ, सशक्त और समृद्ध प्रदेश की मजबूत नींव हैं' ('Healthy daughters are the strong foundation of a healthy, empowered and prosperous state'). He underlined the government's intent to shield girls from 'a serious disease like cervical cancer.' The announcement signals the state's push to translate national immunisation policy into on-ground delivery for a vulnerable age group.
Policy Backdrop
In 2023, the Government of India announced the inclusion of the HPV vaccine in the Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) for girls aged 9–14 years, making it a landmark step in preventive oncology at the national level. Himachal Pradesh's current drive extends that momentum to the 14–15 year cohort, aligning state delivery with the central policy framework while committing dedicated state funds of approximately Rs 2.30 crore for free doses. Indian states have progressively expanded HPV vaccination following central policy signals, typically combining central vaccine procurement support with state-level implementation through schools and health centres.
Stakeholders and Impact
The primary beneficiaries are roughly 65,000 adolescent girls in Himachal Pradesh between the ages of 14 and 15, who will receive the HPV vaccine at no cost. The state health department is the implementing agency, and the campaign is expected to be carried out through schools and community health infrastructure across the hill state. Cervical cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality among women in India, making early immunisation a critical public health intervention.
What's Next
Attention will now turn to coverage data — how many of the targeted 65,000 girls actually receive the vaccine — and whether the state plans to extend the programme to additional age groups in subsequent phases. Consistent follow-through on immunisation targets will determine the campaign's long-term impact on reducing the cervical cancer burden in Himachal Pradesh.
Point of View
But the symbolic weight of framing daughters as the 'foundation of a prosperous state' positions the government on the right side of preventive health discourse. The real test will be in coverage numbers: high uptake would cement the initiative as a policy success, while poor outreach could expose gaps in last-mile delivery.
NationPress
1 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the HPV vaccination campaign announced by Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhu?
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu announced a free HPV (Human Papillomavirus) vaccination drive for approximately 65,000 girls aged 14–15 years in Himachal Pradesh, with the state spending nearly Rs 2.30 crore to protect adolescents from cervical cancer.
How many girls will benefit from the HP HPV vaccination drive?
Approximately 65,000 girls in the 14–15 year age group across Himachal Pradesh are targeted under this free immunisation campaign.
How much is Himachal Pradesh spending on the HPV vaccination campaign?
The state government has allocated nearly Rs 2 crore 30 lakh (Rs 2.30 crore) for the free HPV vaccination programme.
Why is HPV vaccination important for girls in India?
HPV vaccination prevents infection by the Human Papillomavirus, the primary cause of cervical cancer — one of the leading cancers affecting women in India. Early immunisation of adolescent girls significantly reduces their lifetime risk of developing the disease.
Is HPV vaccine part of India's national immunisation programme?
Yes. In 2023, the Government of India included the HPV vaccine in the Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) for girls aged 9–14 years, and states like Himachal Pradesh are now implementing drives aligned with this national policy.
