Explained: How HPV is linked to cancer, and why early vaccination helps

Anuja JaiswalTNN
Feb 28, 2026 | 17:01 IST

A national campaign to vaccinate 14-year-old girls against the virus that can cause cervical cancer was launched on February 28 by PM Modi. Here’s what you need to know about the threats it poses and the shield provided by the vaccine

India rolled out a nationwide, free HPV vaccination programme for adolescent girls on February 28 — a move officials describe as a decisive step toward eliminating one of the country’s deadliest yet preventable cancers.

What exactly is HPV?
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