HPV Misinformation Slows Vaccine Uptake in Gurugram, Health Department Warns – Hindustan Times

Health officials in Gurugram are raising alarms over a sharp decline in human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine uptake, attributing the shortfall to widespread misinformation circulating on social media that falsely links the vaccine to infertility and other serious health issues.

Since the nationwide immunization campaign began on February 27, 2026, only 704 girls aged 14 have received the HPV vaccine in Gurugram, far below the district’s target of 30,000 by May 31, 2026. The vaccine being administered, Gardasil-4, protects against four HPV strains responsible for nearly 90% of cervical cancer cases.

Officials from the Gurugram district Health Department have identified misleading videos on social media as a primary driver of vaccine hesitancy. These videos, some featuring individuals presenting themselves as doctors, falsely claim the HPV vaccine causes infertility, autoimmune diseases, and menstrual disruption—claims that have been refuted by health authorities.

Dr JP Rajliwal, district immunisation officer for Gurugram, confirmed that the misinformation is creating anxiety among teenage girls and their parents, directly impacting participation in the vaccination drive. “Individuals identifying themselves as doctors in such videos have falsely linked the Gardasil-4 HPV vaccine to infertility, autoimmune issues and menstrual disruption,” Dr Rajliwal stated, as reported by the Hindustan Times on April 23, 2026.

To counter the false narratives, the Health Department has launched a multi-pronged outreach strategy. Workshops have been conducted with school principals, with around 50 participating in a session held on Tuesday, April 22, 2026. Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) workers are conducting door-to-door awareness campaigns to educate families about the vaccine’s safety and importance in preventing cervical cancer.

Vaccinations are being administered at several government health facilities, including Civil Hospital in Sector 10A, Pataudi sub-divisional hospital, Bhordakalan, and Wazirabad public health centres. Approximately 30 other facilities across the district are offering free HPV vaccinations starting from April 3, 2026.

The issue is set to be discussed at a task force meeting chaired by the deputy commissioner of Gurugram on Thursday, April 24, 2026. The meeting will include representatives from the Education, Women and Child Development, and urban local bodies departments to coordinate a unified response to the misinformation challenge.

Similar trends of low vaccine uptake due to misinformation have been reported in other parts of India. In Delhi, only 285 girls were vaccinated in the first 10 days of the HPV campaign launched on February 28, 2026, despite a target of 160,000 across the capital. Officials there cited a combination of ongoing school examinations, low awareness, and anti-vaccine misinformation as key factors behind the poor turnout.

Nationally, the Indian government’s HPV vaccination initiative aims to reach an estimated 11.5 million girls aged 14 across the country. Health experts emphasize that vaccinating adolescents before potential exposure to HPV—typically before the onset of sexual activity—can significantly reduce future cervical cancer risk. India records over 125,000 new cervical cancer cases and nearly 80,000 deaths annually, making it the second most common cancer among women after breast cancer.

Health authorities continue to stress that extensive scientific evidence confirms the safety and efficacy of the HPV vaccine. The World Health Organization and numerous national regulatory agencies have affirmed that the vaccine does not cause infertility or other long-term health problems, and its benefits in preventing cervical cancer far outweigh any minimal risks.

As the vaccination campaign progresses, officials in Gurugram and elsewhere are working to rebuild public trust through transparent communication, community engagement, and partnerships with local influencers and healthcare providers to counteract the spread of false information online.