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Business Standard
12-06-2025
- Health
- Business Standard
India's HPV vaccine rollout brings cervical cancer prevention closer
Let's be honest—most of us did not grow up hearing about HPV, let alone vaccines for it. So, what exactly is HPV? It stands for human papillomavirus—a highly common infection that, in some cases, can lead to cervical cancer. Sounds serious? It is. With early and universal vaccination and improved awareness, India is on the brink of a major public health milestone—one that could save thousands of lives annually. 'Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a group of more than 100 related viruses, several of which are known to cause cancer, especially cervical cancer in women. HPV is extremely common and spreads primarily through sexual contact. While most infections are mild and clear up on their own, persistent infection with high-risk HPV types—particularly types 16 and 18—can lead to abnormal cell growth in the cervix, eventually resulting in cancer if untreated,' said Dr Tarjini Tiwari, MD, Sion Hospital, Mumbai. She is a part of an ongoing research on cervical cancer, its causes and prevention. Cervical cancer elimination: India's role in a global mission In 2020, the World Health Assembly set a target to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health problem, aiming for an incidence rate of fewer than four per 100,000 women by 2030. One of the key goals is to fully vaccinate 90 per cent of girls with the HPV vaccine by age 15. India is among 194 countries that have committed to this global target. Although India has not yet introduced the HPV vaccine in its routine immunisation programme, the government is ramping up capacity-building for frontline workers. The national rollout, currently scheduled for the last quarter of 2025, will depend largely on the success of ongoing localised interventions. Dr Aabid Amin Bhat, medical director, Ujala Cygnus Group of Hospitals, told Business Standard, 'The government plans to deploy Cervavac, an indigenously developed quadrivalent HPV vaccine, making it affordable and accessible to all sections of society. This initiative will initially target girls aged 9 to 14, with vaccines expected to be delivered through schools and government health centres.' How states are leading HPV vaccination efforts 'Through Mission Indradhanush and the Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP), the government is integrating the HPV vaccine into the national schedule. States like Punjab, Sikkim, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu have already launched school-based vaccination drives with high coverage, demonstrating the feasibility of large-scale rollout,' Dr Tiwari added. Why HPV vaccination is crucial for India Over 1.2 lakh new cervical cancer cases are reported in India each year One woman dies of cervical cancer every 8 minutes in India India accounts for nearly one-fifth of global cervical cancer deaths HPV vaccination can prevent up to 90% of cervical cancer cases 'The significance of the HPV vaccine cannot be overstated. Over 90 per cent of cervical cancer cases are linked to HPV infection, making vaccination one of the most effective ways to prevent this deadly disease,' said Dr Tiwari. She added, 'The vaccine is most effective when administered before exposure to the virus, which is why it is recommended for girls and boys aged 9–14. Vaccinating boys is also important, as HPV causes cancers of the penis, anus and throat, and boys can spread the virus. The vaccine also protects against genital warts, offering broader health benefits.' Common challenges and persistent myths With an annual birth cohort of around 24 million, each year's delay in vaccine implementation results in approximately 12 million girls ageing out of eligibility. Of these, an estimated 160,000 may develop preventable cervical cancer in their lifetimes. 'Despite its proven benefits, HPV vaccine coverage in India remains low. Key barriers include high private-sector costs (₹2,000 to over ₹10,000 per dose), lack of awareness, vaccine safety misconceptions and limited rural access. Many families are unaware that the vaccine is safe, effective and life-saving,' said Dr Tiwari. Dr Dhivya Sharona, consultant – gynaecology, Rela Hospital, Chennai, added, 'A major misconception is that the vaccine promotes sexual promiscuity or interferes with fertility. While HPV is a sexually transmitted virus, it can also be contracted through partners. The vaccine is preventive and should be administered before the onset of sexual activity.' She stressed that parents should know the HPV vaccine is not linked to promoting early sexual behaviour. Side effects are usually mild, such as soreness or mild fever. HPV vaccine cost: public vs private access Gardasil 4 by Merck Sharpe & Dohme (₹4,000 per dose) Gardasil 9 by MSD (₹11,000 per dose) Cervavac by Serum Institute of India (₹2,000 per dose) In private hospitals, a full course can cost between ₹4,000 and ₹30,000, depending on the vaccine and number of doses. Under government programmes, Cervavac is available for free or at a nominal cost (₹0–₹400 per dose), greatly improving access for families who could not afford private vaccination. Pilot programmes show promise Early pilot projects in states like Sikkim, Punjab and Assam have demonstrated high uptake when vaccines were administered through school-based programmes and supported by community outreach. 'Sikkim was the first state to implement the programme successfully. The HPV vaccine was provided to school children, both girls and boys, using a two-dose schedule. This approach simplifies logistics, generates stronger immune response, fosters herd immunity and protects against other HPV-related cancers such as anal, penile, vulval, vaginal and oropharyngeal cancers,' said Dr Sharona. Dr Bhat added, 'The national strategy will involve coordination between the ministries of health, education and women and child development, as well as training frontline health workers and launching IEC (Information, Education and Communication) campaigns to fight misinformation.' What Indian parents need to know Is it safe? Yes. Cervavac is manufactured in India by the Serum Institute and approved by Indian regulatory authorities. It is already in use globally. How many doses? As per WHO guidelines, a single dose is now considered effective for the 9–14 age group. A second dose may be advised by doctors in certain cases. Where is it available? Initially through government schools and health centres. Parents can also consult their paediatrician for private availability. Can adults get vaccinated? Sexually active adults, both men and women, can benefit from the HPV vaccine. Women under 45 are encouraged to get vaccinated and screened regularly. Looking ahead: a cervical cancer-free future India's HPV vaccine rollout is a landmark public health move with the potential to eliminate cervical cancer within a generation. But success hinges on more than policy—it depends on parental awareness, social acceptance and sustained access. Protecting future generations starts now, and it starts at home.
The Hindu
09-06-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Cervical vaccination camp organised in Visakhapatnam
Retired medical officer Sarojini has said that administering of Cervavac vaccine to girls between the age of nine and 14 years is the remedy to prevent cervical cancer. She launched a camp held to administer second dose of the vaccine to the girl children of journalists in the city on Monday. The camp was organised jointly by the Chaitanya Sravanthi voluntary organisation and the A.P. Working Journalists Federation. She said there will not be any side effects after vaccination and it is the only way to prevent cervical cancer.
News18
09-06-2025
- Health
- News18
India Bets On Jan Aushadhi Kendras For HPV Vaccine To Prevent Cervical Cancer, Adds 116 New Drugs
Last Updated: The list also includes medicines for heart diseases, diabetes, epilepsy, apart from various other types of cancers The government's plan a roll out a nationwide HPV vaccination drive for girls to prevent cervical cancer remains stalled due to insufficient vaccine stock. To tide over the problem, the Narendra Modi government's flagship affordable generic drugs scheme, Jan Aushadhi, has now decided to include the HPV or Human Papillomavirus among 116 new medicines being added to its portfolio. The final list of medicines, accessed by News18, lists the recombinant HPV quadrivalent vaccine, which is effective against diseases caused by HPV types 6, 11, 16, and 18. '…used for the prevention of HPV-associated cancers, such as cervical, vaginal, vulvar, and anal cancer", mentions the document in the category of usage of the drug. The vaccine is expected to be available at subsidised rates through Jan Aushadhi outlets. The objective of the planned offering is to offer timely access, even as the national rollout remains uncertain. 'While the meeting to discuss the status of the roll-out of the nationwide HPV vaccination campaign for girls (aged 9 to 14 years) is expected to take place during the last week of June, there is no update from the Serum Institute of India (SII) on the requested quantity of vaccine doses. Without them, we cannot decide timelines or go ahead," a senior government official told News18. Meanwhile, the Union government is trying to expand access to HPV vaccines via Prime Minister Narendra Modi's flagship Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP). 'The scheme has just rolled out the tender for marketing the HPV vaccine as part of the initiative to add 116 more medicines to its existing bouquet of over 2,100 drugs and 315 surgical and medical devices," another senior government official said, adding that the price of the vaccine available at Jan Aushadhi retail outlets may not be steeply discounted. However, it remains unclear how the tendering procedure will work as in India, only the Serum Institute of India is currently the licensed manufacturer of the HPV vaccine. For the private market in India, the HPV vaccine from SII — Cervavac — typically costs Rs 4,000 per dose. Other Medicines on the List The Jan Aushadhi scheme offers generic drugs priced at 50–90 per cent lower than their branded counterparts in the market. The new list of medicines will be available at 16,500 Jan Aushadhi Kendras across India by September. 'It takes three to six months to complete the procurement procedure and bring medicines onto the retail shelf. The list was finalised in March, and now the tendering process is underway," the second official said. A significant portion of the medicines being added are for the treatment of heart disease and diabetes — two of India's most pressing health challenges. While India is often called the 'Diabetes Capital of the World,' with over 74 million adults affected, it also accounts for approximately 60 per cent of the world's heart disease burden. The list also includes several cancer drugs, including Ibrutinib, used in the treatment of blood cancer and costing between Rs 7,000 and Rs 9,500, which severely hurts the pocket of middle and lower-income class patients and families. Also, the list includes Abiraterone Acetate, a drug used in the treatment of prostate cancer, blood cancer, Hodgkin's disease, and also prescribed in some cases of sickle cell anaemia. A bottle of 60 tablets of the drug costs around Rs 35,000. With inclusion under the scheme, the prices of these drugs—in their generic version—are expected to fall by at least 50 per cent. Several other drugs for therapeutic categories such as the central nervous system, epilepsy and seizures, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), anti-allergy and bone deficiencies are also part of the list. In March, Union health minister JP Nadda said the scheme is helping over 10 lakh people access affordable medicines, leading to cumulative savings of Rs 30,000 crore. While the scheme has been helping those, who cannot afford branded medicines, if it manages to offer quality cancer drugs and the HPV vaccine at discounted prices, it could set a significant benchmark for public health affordability and access. First Published:
