Pune, 10 March 2026: The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has begun administering the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine in city-run health facilities from Monday to protect girls against cervical cancer.
The vaccination drive started at several civic hospitals including Draupadabai Khedekar Hospital in Bopodi, Laigude Hospital, Dalvi Hospital in Shivajinagar and Kamala Nehru Hospital.
On the first day, 25 girls aged between 14 and 15 years received the vaccine. The HPV vaccine is now available at 21 municipal maternity hospitals across Pune.
However, the civic body clarified that the vaccination will not currently be conducted in schools and will only be administered at municipal health facilities.
The vaccine being provided is Gardasil, which offers long-term protection against cervical cancer. Girls must complete self-registration on the U-WIN portal before receiving the vaccine.
The portal also provides information about available vaccination centers. After vaccination, beneficiaries will receive an official certificate. The vaccination is being carried out daily between 9 am and 2 pm.
According to the health department, the program aims to vaccinate around 35,000 girls within the municipal limits. PMC has currently received 19,000 doses and additional supplies will be provided in phases.
Health officials also said action has been taken against people spreading misinformation about the vaccine on social media. Notices have been issued to individuals circulating misleading messages, and authorities emphasised that the vaccine has been safely administered worldwide for more than 15 years.
Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women after breast cancer. Early HPV infections often show no symptoms, but advanced stages may lead to abnormal bleeding, foul-smelling discharge and pelvic pain. Vaccination can provide 93 to 100 percent protection against HPV infections that cause cervical cancer.
PMC Health Chief Dr Neena Borade said, “The HPV vaccine is safe and effective. It helps the body develop antibodies against the virus and provides lifelong protection. We urge parents to ensure that girls in the 14 to 15 age group get vaccinated.”
The vaccine is recommended for girls between the ages of 9 and 15. It protects against HPV virus types 6, 11, 16 and 18. The vaccine is administered as a 0.5 ml intramuscular dose and usually does not need to be repeated once taken.
Health officials also clarified that the vaccine is safe even during menstruation and does not affect fertility or future pregnancy. They added that widespread vaccination will play a major role in reducing cervical cancer cases in the coming years.
