UHO flags ethical concerns over Telangana’s proposed HPV vaccine drive
HYDERABAD: The Universal Health Organisation (UHO) has urged the Telangana government to defer the proposed statewide Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination programme until “robust ethical and safety safeguards” are put in place.
In a letter dated February 22, 2026, addressed to the Health and Family Welfare Minister, the organisation said it supports efforts to reduce cervical cancer but raised concerns that the rollout may proceed without adequate protections for adolescent girls.
The UHO said the state is awaiting clearance from the Union government to launch the programme targeting adolescent girls.
Cites findings of 2009–10 vaccine project
The organisation referred to the 2009–10 HPV vaccine demonstration project conducted in Khammam district of undivided Andhra Pradesh and Vadodara district of Gujarat. The project was implemented by PATH in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research and funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
It cited observations of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare, which had examined the project and flagged ethical concerns.
The UHO also referred to a March 2010 fact-finding report by Sama Resource Group for Women and Health in Khammam. According to the letter, the report documented adverse reactions among girls following vaccination and recorded seven deaths during the project period, though a direct causal link was not established.
The organisation alleged lapses in consent procedures, inadequate parental information, and weak adverse event monitoring during the earlier project.
Demands consent, AEFI monitoring system
The UHO called for prior informed consent from parents or legal guardians of all minor girls, with forms in Telugu and explained verbally where necessary. It said consent from hostel wardens or institutional authorities must be prohibited and that assent from minors should also be recorded.
The letter stressed that participation must be voluntary, without coercion or penalty for refusal.
It sought a comprehensive and independent Adverse Events Following Immunisation (AEFI) monitoring system, including a 24-hour helpline, district-level rapid response teams, mandatory reporting of all adverse events, independent causality assessment and free medical care for affected girls. It also demanded monthly public disclosure of AEFI data.
Seeks transparency on funding, training, cold chain
The organisation questioned whether the state had placed Telangana-specific epidemiological data on cervical cancer in the public domain before initiating a mass vaccination drive.
It sought disclosure of funding sources, financial arrangements, implementing agencies and any potential conflicts of interest. The UHO said itemised budgets covering procurement, cold chain infrastructure, training, community awareness and monitoring should be made public.
The letter asked the government to publish operational guidelines and standard operating procedures for vaccination sessions, post-vaccination observation and escalation of adverse events.
It also raised concerns about cold chain infrastructure, stating that HPV vaccines must be stored between 2°C and 8°C. The government, it said, should disclose whether refrigeration equipment, vaccine carriers and monitoring systems are functional across all sites.
The UHO further sought disclosure of vaccine composition, including the presence of thimerosal or other adjuvants, details on multi-dose vials, and availability of the manufacturer’s package insert in Telugu at vaccination centres.
The organisation emphasised the need for detailed individual vaccination records, including batch numbers, expiry dates and administering health worker details, to ensure traceability and accountability.
Requests meeting with state government
The letter said the earlier Khammam experience underscored the need for a rights-based framework in mass vaccination programmes.
The UHO requested an urgent meeting with the Health Minister and senior officials of the Department of Health and Family Welfare to discuss the concerns raised. Copies of the letter were marked to the Chief Minister, Principal Secretary (Health), Director of Public Health and Family Welfare, the National Human Rights Commission and the Union Health Minister.
