Nationwide HPV Vaccination

Why in News?

The Union Health Ministry is set to launch a nationwide Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination program targeting adolescent girls.

• Gardasil Vaccine – A non-live quadrivalent HPV vaccine introduced in 2006.
• Global safety proven – Over 500 million doses given and 93–100% effective in preventing cervical cancer.
  • Substantial reductions in HPV infection, pre-cancerous lesions, and cervical cancer were noted.
• Protection – Against HPV types 6 and 11, 16 and 18
• Dosage – A single dose for robust and durable protection in the recommended age group.

Globally, over 90 countries are implementing single-dose HPV vaccination.

• Target – Adolescent girls aged 14 years, where the vaccine offers maximum preventive benefit, well before potential exposure to the virus.
• Access – Made available with India’s partnership with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. 
  • In India – It is given Voluntary and free of cost, ensuring equitable access across socio-economic groups.
• Availability – Designated government health facilities, including the
  • Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (Primary Health Centres),
  • Community Health Centres,
  • Sub-District and District Hospitals, and
  • Government Medical Colleges.
• Support – Expert medical teams and 24/7 hospital backup ensure every vaccination is safe, and post vaccination support is also given.

Cervical Cancer in India

• It is a cancer that develops in the cervix, the lower part of the uterus.
• Caused by – Human Papillomavirus (HPV) types 16 and 18.
• Disease Burden – India currently faces a high burden, accounting for 20% of global cases and 25% of global deaths, largely due to late diagnosis.
• Cervical cancer is the 2^nd most common cancer among women in India, with nearly 80,000 new cases and over 42,000 deaths annually.
• In which HPV types 16 and 18 together account for more than 80%.
• Screening & Testing – WHO Goal – Screen 70% of women by 2030 and transition to just two HPV tests per lifetime (at ages 35 and 45) to reduce screening burden.
• WHO Target – Vaccinate 90% of girls by age 15 to reduce cervical cancer to less than 4 cases per 1,00,000 women by 2030.
• India’s Initiative – India has developed indigenous HPV test kits developed by the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) under the Department of Biotechnology's (DBT) partnership programme, Grand Challenges India (GCI).

Reference

TH | Nationwide HPV Vaccination