India’s HPV vaccination drive is facing a legal scrutiny – the Delhi High Court has asked the government to respond to concerns about safety data and informed consent.
A Cervical Cancer Vaccine Meant to Protect Girls Is Now Facing Trial
Millions of Indian families trusted a government promise this year of a free vaccine shot of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, Gardasil to protect their daughters from cervical cancer. Now that promise is being tested in court (1✔ ✔Trusted Source
PIL In Delhi High Court Challenges HPV Vaccination Drive For Adolescent Girls Over Lack Of Informed Parental Consent; Notice Issued
).
The Delhi High Court has issued notice to the Central Government, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), and India’s drug regulator, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), after hearing a petition that challenges the nationwide roll-out of HPV vaccine, Gardasilunder the Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP).
The court called the issue “extremely important,” given that it concerns children and has listed the matter for further hearing on 29 July 2026.
At the center of the challenge is a Public Interest Litigation (PIL), a legal petition filed by Dr. Sujata Mittal, gynaecologist and Jitendra Chouksey, health entrepreneur before a bench of High Court headed by Chief Justice D. K. Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia.
The plea argues that the vaccine, Gardasil 9, a single-dose, quadrivalent vaccine made by Merck was rolled out nationwide without adequate scientific study, long-term safety data, or properly informed parental consent, raising concerns for the health of millions of 14- year- old girls.
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Why India Is Racing to Vaccinate Against HPV in the First Place
Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among Indian women. According to ICMR’s National Cancer Registry Programme, new cases have declined 37% over the past decade — from1.27 lakh to around 79,000disease still claims nearly 80,000 lives a year.
India accounts for over 22% of global cervical cancer deaths. Persistent infection with high-risk HPV types, mainly HPV 16 and 18, causes more than 80% of these cases. Unlike many cancers, this one is considered highly preventable — through vaccination, screening, and timely treatment (3✔ ✔Trusted Source
Cervical Cancer
Considering the urgency, under UIP Ministry of Health and Family Welfare launched a free nationwide campaign on 28 February 2026 with the aim to cover approximately 1.2 crore eligible girls aged 14 across India which has recently reached 43% coverage reaching over 52 lakh girls.
Officials also point out that Gardasil isn’t new to India. It’s been licensed for use since 2008, and this rollout followed a World Health Organization recommendation and clearance from India’s National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (NTAGI) before launch.
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What Petitioners Argue About HPV Vaccine Drive
Parental Rights and Informed Consent
The plea argues the administration of vaccines to the girls in school settings and government facilities without prior written parental consent (2✔ ✔Trusted Source
PM Modi to launch nationwide HPV vaccination programme for 14-year-old girls from Ajmer tomorrow
).
Reported Complications
The petitioners highlighted the case of a 14-year-old girl in Tamil Nadu who reportedly developed severe neurological symptoms — including paralysis-like weakness, loss of voice, and vision impairment — within days of vaccination in March 2026.Post-vaccination complications were also reported from Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh and Bihar.
The petition also revives concerns from a 2009 HPV vaccine trial conducted in Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh, linked to deaths in Khammam district in 2010, though these cases have not been independently verified in court yet.
A 2013 Parliamentary Standing Committee investigation into that trial uncovered irregularities serious enough that the rollout was suspended at the time.
Lack of Transparent Public Data Through AEFI
Despite 43% of vaccine already being administered, no Adverse Events Following Immunisation (AEFI) data has been made accessible to the public argued a senior advocate, Gyanendra Kumar.
Target Compulsion and Inadequate Scientific Study
The vaccination proceeded without adequate scientific study or long-term safety data. The frontline workers, ASHA workers were given enrolment targets which posed undue compulsion and pressure.
A Notable Argument
The petitioners asked why government chose to administer Merck’s imported Gardasil 9 instead of Cervavac, India’s gender-neutral, single-dose HPV vaccine made by the Serum Institute of India.
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The Delhi HC Flags Safety Issues
The court has not ruled on the petition’s claims, paused the vaccination programme, or made any finding about vaccine safety. It has taken a standard step asking the government to respond by issuing notice to the Central Government, ICMR, and India’s drug regulator CDSCO.
It also directed the Union Government to submit data on Adverse Events Following Immunisation (AEFI) within a week, making it accessible for public.
The court has also requested Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma to receive direct briefings from Health Ministry officials and submit detailed data on vaccine’s safety monitoring before the next scheduled hearing on July 29, 2026.
References:
- PIL In Delhi High Court Challenges HPV Vaccination Drive For Adolescent Girls Over Lack Of Informed Parental Consent; Notice Issued- (https://www.livelaw.in/high-court/delhi-high-court/hpv-vaccine-drive-cervical-cancer-adolescent-girls-parent-consent-542369)
- PM Modi to launch nationwide HPV vaccination programme for 14-year-old girls from Ajmer tomorrow
– (https://newsonair.gov.in/pm-modi-to-launch-nationwide-hpv-vaccination-programme-for-14-year-old-girls-from-ajmer-tomorrow/) - Cervical Cancer
– (https://cancerindia.org.in/cervical-cancer/)
Source-Medindia