Girl Effect India launches WhatsApp chatbot to help parents navigate HPV vaccination

Non-profit organisation Girl Effect India has launched Teeka Talk, a WhatsApp chatbot to educate parents, caregivers and educators about the HPV vaccine.

Cervical cancer is the second-most common cancer among women in India. Around 80,000 women lose their lives to the disease every year.

Teeka Talk comes at a time when India is expanding efforts to vaccinate 14-year-old girls against Human Papillomavirus (HPV), the leading cause of cervical cancer. While awareness of the vaccine is growing, so is the spread of misinformation, rumours, half-truths, and unverified claims that often leave parents uncertain about whom to trust.

Many questions surround the use of the vaccine. Teeka Talk, designed in consultation with parents and experts, carries credible, verified information aligned with the government campaign, says Girl Effect. It also links parents to U-Win, the platform for registering the vaccination.

Getting started is as simple as sending 'hi' on WhatsApp. From there, Teeka Talk transforms complex medical information into easy-to-understand conversations through short videos, visual stories, FAQs, and myth-busting content, says the organisation. Parents can ask questions and receive clear, evidence-based answers on HPV, cervical cancer, the importance of vaccination, eligibility, safety, and benefits, anytime, without judgement, in Hindi or English.

The chatbot draws on Girl Effect's experience using digital platforms to reach millions with trusted health information. It combines behavioural science, audience-centred design and storytelling to make the information not just accurate but also useful, according to Girl Effect.

Teeka Talk's Instagram page features relatable stories, expert insights, and other engaging content to keep the conversation around HPV vaccination and cervical cancer prevention going beyond a single chat. The NGO's goal is to build confidence over time. 

"Parents today are making health decisions in an increasingly complex information environment. When it comes to HPV vaccination, families don't just need information—they need information they can trust, in a language they understand. Teeka Talk is about giving them the answers they seek, on their fingertips,” sayd Kavita Ayyagari, Country Director, Girl Effect India.