Maharashtra has begun a statewide HPV vaccination campaign to prevent cervical cancer, with five Class 9 girls in Mumbai receiving the first doses at Nair Hospital. The initiative targets adolescent girls and is part of a nationwide effort inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Officials emphasize the vaccine's safety and effectiveness in protecting against the disease.
On Saturday, March 1, 2026, Maharashtra launched its cervical cancer prevention campaign with the administration of the first HPV vaccine doses to five Class 9 girls at Topiwala National Medical College and Bai Y L Nair Charitable Hospital in Mumbai. The girls, from Mazgaon and Agripada, were Jeevika Thakkar, twins Riddhi and Siddhi Harihar, Mahi Chavan, and Shamika Sadvilkar. They were accompanied by their parents, who learned about the free vaccination through relatives, neighbors, hospital outreach, and awareness calls.
Jeevika’s mother, Reshma Thakkar, shared, “I didn’t know what HPV was, but when I learnt it prevents cancer, I decided to bring my daughter. My father had mouth cancer and my brother had throat cancer, so I felt it was important to protect her early.” Kiran Harihar, mother of the twins, mentioned an aunt's visit to inform them two days prior. Mahi Chavan’s mother, Samruddhi, consulted a doctor after encountering online misinformation but proceeded after assurance of safety. Shamika’s father, Ratnakar Sadvilkar, acted on a hospital awareness call.
Each girl received 0.5 ml of the HPV vaccine in their left forearm, with their left index finger nail marked afterward. The event, led by Public Health Minister Prakash Abitkar, Mayor Ritu Tawde, and Deputy Mayor Sanjay Ghadi, aligns with the nationwide campaign started by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Ajmer, Rajasthan.
A state health official stated, “In every state the inauguration has started with one site and in Maharashtra we began from Mumbai. Within a week, we will distribute vaccines across Maharashtra. There is no shortage of dosage, if we need more, centre will provide.” Abitkar urged parents to vaccinate their daughters, noting cervical cancer as the second most common among Indian women.
In the first phase, 24,936 girls from municipal schools aged 14 but not yet 15 will be vaccinated, with 1,30,000 expected beneficiaries in Mumbai overall. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has 20,160 doses of Gardasil-4, trained 262 medical officers, 1,008 nurses, and over 4,400 ASHA and health volunteers. Vaccinations will occur at 284 civic health institutions, including hospitals and medical colleges, with private and aided schools to follow in later phases.
