Questions patients askHPV vaccination — frequently asked questions
Is the HPV vaccine really free for my daughter?
If she has completed 14 years and has not yet completed 15, yes. Under the national HPV vaccination programme launched on 28 February 2026, a single dose of Gardasil-4 is given free of cost at government health facilities — Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, primary and community health centres, sub-district and district hospitals, and government medical college hospitals. You can pre-register on the U-WIN platform or walk in. Parental or guardian consent is mandatory and is recorded on U-WIN. If she is in that age band, take the free dose. There is no clinical reason to pay for it privately.
My daughter is 16. Has she missed her chance?
No. She is outside the government programme's age band, which covers only girls who have completed 14 but not 15 years, but HPV vaccines remain licensed and available privately in India for girls and women from 9 years onwards. What changes is the number of doses: a first dose given at 9 to 14 years needs two doses six months apart, while a first dose given at 15 or older needs three doses over six months. Starting later costs more and takes longer, but the vaccine still works.
I am 34 and married. Is there any point vaccinating me now?
There can be, and it is a conversation rather than a yes or no. HPV vaccines are preventive, not therapeutic — they do not clear an infection you already carry. Most adults have been exposed to some HPV types but very few have been exposed to all the types a vaccine covers, so there is usually some residual benefit. The benefit is smaller than it would have been at 14, and the honest position is that regular cervical screening matters far more for you at this age than vaccination does. Dr. Kunda will tell you which of the two is the better use of your money in your particular situation.
Does the vaccine mean I can stop having Pap smears?
No, and this is the most important sentence on this page. No HPV vaccine covers every cancer-causing HPV type, and a vaccine given after exposure cannot undo an infection already present. Screening stays on the same schedule whether you are vaccinated or not. Women who assume vaccination replaces screening are the group most likely to present late.
Which HPV vaccine should we choose?
There is no single answer, which is why we do not publish one. Cervavac and Gardasil-4 are quadrivalent — they cover HPV 6, 11, 16 and 18. Gardasil-9 adds five more high-risk types and costs considerably more per dose. The government programme uses single-dose Gardasil-4. Which one is sensible for you depends on age, budget, how many doses you will need and what is in stock. Bring the question to the consultation rather than deciding from a price list.
Will you vaccinate my son?
Dr. Kunda works in gynaecology and her patients are women. She sees a man only as the partner of a woman already under her care, and only for treatment that forms part of that treatment plan — vaccinating a boy is not that, so he needs to see a paediatrician or a physician instead. HPV vaccines are licensed for boys and men in India and there are good reasons to consider vaccination for them, but this is not the right clinic for it and we would rather say so than take the appointment.
I have already had an abnormal Pap smear. Is vaccination still relevant?
It can be, but the order of priority changes. An abnormal result needs to be investigated and followed up first — usually with colposcopy and, where indicated, a biopsy. Vaccination after treatment for a pre-cancerous cervical lesion is a recognised option because it may reduce the chance of a further lesion, but it is an addition to follow-up, never a substitute for it. Dr. Kunda performs the colposcopy herself and manages the follow-up, so both decisions are made by the same clinician.
Does the vaccine affect fertility or a future pregnancy?
There is no evidence that HPV vaccination harms fertility. Vaccination is not recommended during pregnancy, simply because it has not been studied in pregnant women, so if you are pregnant the course is postponed until after delivery. Breastfeeding is not a reason to delay. If you become pregnant part-way through a course, the remaining doses are given after the baby is born and the series does not need to be restarted.
What are the side effects?
Most people get a sore, red or slightly swollen arm for a day or two. Mild fever, headache or tiredness are common and settle on their own. Fainting shortly after the injection happens occasionally in adolescents, which is why we ask you to sit for about fifteen minutes afterwards. Serious allergic reactions are rare. The national programme defers vaccination for anyone with a moderate or severe illness until they recover, for anyone with a history of a severe allergic reaction to a previous vaccine, and for anyone with a known yeast allergy.
Will I be seen by a female doctor?
Yes. Dr. Kunda Shahane is a woman and she carries out the consultation, the examination, the Pap smear and the colposcopy herself. Nothing about a cervical health appointment here is delegated to a male clinician.
What does HPV vaccination cost at your clinic?
The cost depends on which vaccine is used and whether you need two doses or three, which in turn depends on your age at the first dose. Because prices move and stock varies, we quote current pricing on WhatsApp rather than publishing a figure that goes stale. Message +91 8087471244 with the patient's age and we will send the current cost per dose and the total for the full course. If the patient is 14, we will tell you to get it free at a government facility instead.
How soon can I be seen?
The clinic runs Monday to Saturday, 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and is closed on Sunday. Vaccination appointments are usually available within a few days. Call +91 712 6692706 or message +91 8087471244 to book.
