India’s nationwide HPV vaccination programme has come under legal scrutiny after a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed in the Supreme Court, raising questions over informed consent, safety monitoring and accountability in the implementation of the campaign.
The petition, filed by the Universal Health Organisation, seeks suspension of the school-based component of the programme until a legally compliant and transparent consent mechanism is put in place.
According to the petition, parents and children should receive adequate information about potential risks, alternatives and the procedure for reporting adverse events. It also raises concerns over the absence of a dedicated vaccine injury compensation mechanism.
India launched its free nationwide HPV vaccination programme in February 2026, targeting 15-year-old girls as part of efforts to reduce the burden of cervical cancer, a major cause of cancer-related deaths among women in the country.
The petition argues that public health goals and individual rights can work together, stressing the importance of transparency and public confidence while implementing large-scale vaccination programmes.
The Supreme Court is expected to consider the matter this week. The case could bring greater attention to how consent, safety surveillance and accountability are managed in large-scale vaccination initiatives.
