Very important issue: Delhi High Court on plea against rollout of HPV vaccines without adequate study

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday issued notice to the Central government and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) on a plea challenging the nationwide rollout of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, Gardasil, without adequate study.

The vaccines are meant to be administered to adolescent girls under the Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP).

HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection globally. The high-risk HPV viruses can cause cervical, anal, throat and penile cancers.

A Division Bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tejas Karia today said that the issue was "extremely important" and will be heard on July 29.

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 Bench added that it was not doubting the government's intention but the issue that concerns all girl children and "we have to tread a very cautious path".

The High Court was hearing a PIL filed by gynaecologist Dr ⁠Sujata Mittal and fitness influencer Jitendra Chauksey raising questions over the data, efficacy and the requirement of the vaccine.

They stated that vaccination is being done in schools and frontline health workers, including ASHA workers, are given targets to increase enrolment, which in many cases leads to undue pressure on young girls.

The petitioners 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 also referred to similar reported incidents in Gwalior and Bihar to question the vaccine's safety monitoring.

It was argued that the nationwide rollout of the vaccine without conclusive studies and informed consent violates constitutional rights to bodily autonomy and personal liberty.

As per the petition, concerns over the conduct of HPV vaccine trials and participant consent remain unresolved.

It was further claimed that the vaccine's long-term efficacy in preventing cervical cancer has not been conclusively established and regular screening remains the most effective preventive strategy.

The petition has sought judicial scrutiny of the programme, contending that it raises serious concerns regarding consent, safety, scientific basis and public health policy.

Senior Advocate Gyanendra Kumar along with advocates Rohit Kumar, Divyanshi Pundhir, Sugandh Virmani , Nikhil bhasin and Ritik Kumar appeared for the petitioners.