Lok Sabha Question No. 4703 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-20
Subject: Parental Consent for HPV Vaccination
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Vijayakumar Alias Vijay Vasanth

## GOVERNMENT OFINDIA MINISTRYOF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH ANDFAMILYWELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4703 TO BE ANSWERED ON 20 th MARCH 2026

## PARENTALCONSENT FOR HPV VACCINATION

## 4703. SHRI VIJAYAKUMAR ALIAS VIJAY VASANTH:

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has ensured strict enforcement of mandatory parental consent before administering HPV vaccines to girls aged 14 years, if so, the details thereof along with the monitoring mechanism established and compliance in this regard;

(b) whether the HPV vaccination programme remains fully voluntary across all States and Union Territories, if so, the details thereof along with the safeguards introduced by the Government to prevent coercion or indirect pressure on beneficiaries;

(c) whether the Government has conducted adequate awareness campaigns to educate parents about the benefits, risks and possible side effects of HPV vaccination, if so, the details thereof and the State-wise outreach strategy;

(d) whether the Government has established adverse event monitoring and medical response systems during the nationwide vaccination drive, if so, the details thereof along with the emergency preparedness measures and the reporting protocol in this regard; and

(e) whether sufficient vaccine supply and cold-chain infrastructure have been ensured for uninterrupted implementation of the three-month campaign in the country, if so, the details thereof along with the logistical arrangements made in this regard?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SMT. ANUPRIYAPATEL)

(a) & (b) The Nationwide free HPV vaccination campaign was launched on 28th February 2026 for approximately 1.2 crore eligible beneficiary girls aged 14 years across all 36 States and Union Territories. HPV vaccination is voluntary and parental consent is mandatory before administration of vaccine. Beneficiaries may self-register and schedule an appointment for HPV vaccination on UWIN or directly walk-in to the government health facility.

(c) Awareness generation is promoted through IEC materials such as radio jingles, posters including AEFI poster, banners, myth-busting digital content and use of social media platforms to provide accurate information, address misconceptions and ensure equitable access. Parents and beneficiaries can read information on the benefits and possible side effects of HPV vaccine, this information is provided under 'General Information on Routine Vaccines under the Universal Immunization Programme for Citizens' on the U-WIN portal.

(d) The vaccine is administered at designated Government health facilities including Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (AAMs) - Primary Health Centres (PHCs), Community Health Centres (CHCs), Sub-District Hospitals (SDHs), District Hospitals (DHs) and Government Medical Colleges and Hospitals (GMCHs) in the presence of medical officers. The extensive training on HPV vaccination for medical and paramedical staff across all 36 States/UTs in the country has been completed. The vaccination sites are linked to 24x7 Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFI) Management Centers for prompt management of adverse events, if any. A system is in place for reporting, investigation, and causality assessment of AEFI events.

(e) The Government of India has secured HPV vaccine as kind support from GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance.

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