India Launches Nationwide HPV Vaccination Drive for Girls
Context:
The Union government is set to launch a nationwide single-dose Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination drive targeting to reduce India’s high burden of cervical cancer among girls. The campaign will run intensively for 90 days and later be integrated into the routine immunisation programme.
About the Drive:
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- The vaccination campaign will cover all girls aged 14 years across the country. Adolescence is considered the ideal time for immunisation because the vaccine provides maximum protection when administered before exposure to HPV.
- Eligible beneficiaries will be able to register through the U-Win digital platform and receive the vaccine at designated government health centres. After the 90-day campaign, the vaccine will continue to be offered through health and wellness centres under the Universal Immunisation Programme framework. Given that nearly 1.15 crore girls turn 14 every year in India, the initiative is designed as a sustained intervention rather than a one-time exercise.
- The vaccination campaign will cover all girls aged 14 years across the country. Adolescence is considered the ideal time for immunisation because the vaccine provides maximum protection when administered before exposure to HPV.
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About Cervical Cancer:
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- Cervical cancer develops in the cells of the cervix, typically due to persistent infection with high-risk HPV types. While many HPV infections resolve naturally, long-term infection can cause precancerous lesions that may progress to invasive cancer if untreated.
- Besides cervical cancer, HPV is also linked to anal, penile, vaginal, vulvar, and oropharyngeal cancers. Evidence from countries like Australia, which introduced HPV vaccination in 2007, shows a sharp decline in HPV prevalence and precancerous conditions over time.
- Early vaccination, combined with regular screening, is considered the most effective strategy for eliminating cervical cancer as a public health threat.
- Cervical cancer remains the second most common cancer among women in India, with nearly 1.25 lakh new cases and about 75,000 deaths annually. Since almost 90% of cervical cancer cases are caused by persistent HPV infection, expanding vaccine coverage has become a public health priority.
- Cervical cancer develops in the cells of the cervix, typically due to persistent infection with high-risk HPV types. While many HPV infections resolve naturally, long-term infection can cause precancerous lesions that may progress to invasive cancer if untreated.
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About the HPV Vaccine:
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- The HPV vaccine protects against high-risk strains of the virus responsible for most cervical cancer cases. In 2022, the World Health Organization recommended a single-dose schedule for girls aged 9–20 years, based on strong evidence of long-lasting protection.
- For the current phase, the government will use Gardasil, manufactured by MSD Pharmaceuticals. The vaccine targets HPV types 16 and 18, which account for nearly 70% of global cervical cancer cases, along with other strains depending on the formulation.
- India has also developed its indigenous vaccine, Cervavac, produced by the Serum Institute of India, which may be introduced widely after necessary approvals.
- The HPV vaccine protects against high-risk strains of the virus responsible for most cervical cancer cases. In 2022, the World Health Organization recommended a single-dose schedule for girls aged 9–20 years, based on strong evidence of long-lasting protection.
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Conclusion:
The nationwide HPV vaccination drive represents a major preventive health intervention. By targeting adolescent girls before exposure to the virus, India aims to significantly reduce future cervical cancer cases and deaths. If implemented effectively with high coverage and continued awareness, the campaign could mark a turning point in India’s fight against a largely preventable cancer, reducing healthcare burden and saving thousands of lives annually.
