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Rachel V Thomas

Delhi High Court Questions Govt, ICMR Over HPV Vaccine Rollout, Issues Notice

Even as India has vaccinated more than 5.2 million girls against the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), the Delhi High Court on Tuesday sought responses from the Centre and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) over the nationwide rollout of the cervical cancer vaccine, Gardasil, following allegations that it is being introduced without adequate study.

The court issued notice on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) challenging the proposed administration of the vaccine to adolescent girls under the Universal Immunization Program (UIP).

According to the petition, the vaccination program is being implemented without ensuring informed parental consent and adequate scientific safeguards, Live Law reported.

A Division Bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia described the matter as "extremely important."

According to the Centre, <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/india-vaccinates-over-5-2-million-girls-against-hpv-to-fight-cervical-cancer-article-155146916" data-type="tilCustomLink">52,10,302 girls</a> across the country have received the HPV vaccine under the nationwide campaign launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in February. The figures were shared in Parliament during the ongoing Monsoon Session.

<h2>Court Seeks Government's Response</h2>

The Bench also asked Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma to assist the court in the matter.

"Mr Sharma, very important issue. Vaccination is a good scheme, but if there are some adverse consequences, we will have to be very cautious. Seek instructions from the Ministry. Ask some officer to come and brief you. Someone who is in charge of all this should come and brief you, and ensure that someone from the drug control organisation also comes and briefs you," the Court remarked.

The judges clarified that they were not questioning the government's intentions, but emphasized that the issue affects the health of millions of adolescent girls and therefore warrants careful scrutiny.

"We have to tread a very cautious path," the Bench observed.

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/fact-check-common-myths-around-hpv-vaccine-and-how-it-will-prevent-cervical-cancer-article-153720030" data-type="tilCustomLink">Fact Check: Common Myths Around HPV Vaccine And How It Will Prevent Cervical Cancer</a> <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/fact-check-common-myths-around-hpv-vaccine-and-how-it-will-prevent-cervical-cancer-article-153720030"></a>

The PIL, filed by gynecologist Dr. Sujata Mittal and fitness influencer Jitendra Chouksey, raises concerns about the data, efficacy and necessity of the Gardasil vaccine.

The petition claims that vaccination drives are being conducted in schools and that frontline health workers, including ASHA workers, have been assigned enrolment targets. It alleges that this has, in some instances, resulted in undue pressure on adolescent girls to get vaccinated, Bar and Bench reported.

The petitioners also cited the case of a 14-year-old girl from Tamil Nadu who allegedly developed severe neurological complications—including paralysis-like weakness, loss of voice and impaired vision—days after receiving the vaccine in March 2026.

The PIL further refers to similar reported incidents in Gwalior and Bihar, questioning whether adequate vaccine safety monitoring and surveillance mechanisms are in place.

Read to Know: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/sheta2-indias-indigenous-drug-candidate-for-cervical-cancer-article-155145497" data-type="tilCustomLink">SHetA2: India's Indigenous Drug Candidate For Cervical Cancer</a>

The national program uses Gardasil, a quadrivalent HPV vaccine that protects against HPV types 16 and 18, which are responsible for most cervical cancers, as well as types 6 and 11, which cause genital warts.

According to the government, Gardasil has been licensed for use in India since 2008. The nationwide rollout follows recommendations from the World Health Organization (WHO) and approvals by the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (NTAGI).

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection worldwide. While many infections clear on their own, persistent infection with high-risk HPV strains can lead to cervical, anal, throat and penile cancers. HPV vaccination is widely recommended to help prevent cervical cancer, particularly when administered before exposure to the virus.

The High Court has scheduled the next hearing in the matter for July 29.

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Even as India has vaccinated more than 5.2 million girls against the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), the Delhi High Court on Tuesday sought responses from the Centre and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) over the nationwide rollout of the cervical cancer vaccine, Gardasil, following allegations that it is being introduced without adequate study.The court issued notice on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) challenging the proposed administration of the vaccine to adolescent girls under the Universal Immunization Program (UIP).According to the petition, the vaccination program is being implemented without ensuring informed parental consent and adequate scientific safeguards, Live Law reported.A Division Bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia described the matter as "extremely important."According to the Centre, 52,10,302 girls across the country have received the HPV vaccine under the nationwide campaign launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in February. The figures were shared in Parliament during the ongoing Monsoon Session.Court Seeks Government's ResponseThe Bench also asked Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma to assist the court in the matter."Mr Sharma, very important issue. Vaccination is a good scheme, but if there are some adverse consequences, we will have to be very cautious. Seek instructions from the Ministry. Ask some officer to come and brief you. Someone who is in charge of all this should come and brief you, and ensure that someone from the drug control organisation also comes and briefs you," the Court remarked.The judges clarified that they were not questioning the government's intentions, but emphasized that the issue affects the health of millions of adolescent girls and therefore warrants careful scrutiny."We have to tread a very cautious path," the Bench observed.Also read: Fact Check: Common Myths Around HPV Vaccine And How It Will Prevent Cervical Cancer What Does the PIL Allege?The PIL, filed by gynecologist Dr. Sujata Mittal and fitness influencer Jitendra Chouksey, raises concerns about the data, efficacy and necessity of the Gardasil vaccine.The petition claims that vaccination drives are being conducted in schools and that frontline health workers, including ASHA workers, have been assigned enrolment targets. It alleges that this has, in some instances, resulted in undue pressure on adolescent girls to get vaccinated, Bar and Bench reported.The petitioners also cited the case of a 14-year-old girl from Tamil Nadu who allegedly developed severe neurological complications—including paralysis-like weakness, loss of voice and impaired vision—days after receiving the vaccine in March 2026.The PIL further refers to similar reported incidents in Gwalior and Bihar, questioning whether adequate vaccine safety monitoring and surveillance mechanisms are in place.Read to Know: SHetA2: India's Indigenous Drug Candidate For Cervical CancerWhy HPV Vaccination MattersThe national program uses Gardasil, a quadrivalent HPV vaccine that protects against HPV types 16 and 18, which are responsible for most cervical cancers, as well as types 6 and 11, which cause genital warts.According to the government, Gardasil has been licensed for use in India since 2008. The nationwide rollout follows recommendations from the World Health Organization (WHO) and approvals by the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (NTAGI).Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infection worldwide. While many infections clear on their own, persistent infection with high-risk HPV strains can lead to cervical, anal, throat and penile cancers. HPV vaccination is widely recommended to help prevent cervical cancer, particularly when administered before exposure to the virus.The High Court has scheduled the next hearing in the matter for July 29.

delhi high court questions govt, icmr over hpv vaccine rollout, issues notice

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Delhi High Court Questions Govt, ICMR Over HPV Vaccine Rollout, Issues Notice

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