'Very Serious Issue': HC seeks Centre's response on plea challenging HPV vaccination inclusion

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Wednesday issued notices to the Centre and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) on a plea challenging the proposed inclusion of HPV vaccines in the Universal Immunisation Programme, citing concerns over their long-term safety, informed consent and monitoring of adverse events.

A bench of Chief Justice D K Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia said the plea raised a "very serious" issue as it concerned the health of girls and women in the country. The court issued notices to the central government and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).

The public interest litigation (PIL) was filed by Dr Sujata Mittal, and the matter is scheduled to be heard next on July 29.

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"The (HPV) vaccination is a good scheme. (But) If there are adverse consequences, we have to see. We have to tread a cautious path. This is a serious issue. You get immunised not to get infected," the bench said, news agency PTI reported.

The petitioner's counsel said the government included the HPV vaccine in the Universal Immunisation Programme as part of a nationwide vaccination programme for young girls without considering any data on adverse effects or ensuring parental informed consent.

Internationally, "significant safety concerns" have been raised against the 'Gardasil' HPV vaccine, and incidents raising questions over the vaccine's safety have been reported in India as well, it said.

"It is respectfully submitted that a 14-year-old girl from Tamil Nadu received the HPV vaccine on 30.03.2026 at the Government Hospital, Kanai. Within three to four days, she developed serious and worsening symptoms, loss of voice, paralysis-like weakness on one side of the body, inability to walk, and blurred, dim vision.

"She was admitted to the ICU in a critical condition on oxygen support, catheter, and intravenous medication, and remained bedridden for several days without significant improvement. Similar incidents reported from Gwalior and Bihar raise serious concerns regarding vaccine safety and monitoring," the PIL claimed.

The plea also asserted that the long-term effectiveness of the vaccine remained "uncertain".

While medical experts agree that regular screening of women between the ages of 30 and 65 years is the most effective way to prevent cervical cancer, the present programme focuses mainly on vaccinating young girls, and aims to vaccinate approximately 1.15 crore girls aged 14 years, who are at a relatively lower immediate risk, it said. 

The PIL also sought directions to authorities to conduct and publish district-wise and state-wise epidemiological assessments, disease burden studies, cost-effectiveness analyses and public health impact evaluations before any further expansion of the HPV vaccination programme, reports PTI.

The authorities should also establish an independent, transparent and publicly accessible 'Adverse Events Following Immunisation' monitoring and reporting mechanism, specifically for HPV vaccination, with periodic public disclosure of all reported adverse events, it said.

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