Context:
India has initiated a nationwide Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination programme for 14-year-old girls to reduce the burden of cervical cancer, one of the leading causes of cancer deaths among women in the country.
Key Highlights:
- Government Initiative
- The HPV vaccine will be administered in government health facilities by trained medical officers.
- India will follow the single-dose vaccination schedule recommended by WHO.
- The programme aims to significantly reduce cervical cancer incidence and mortality.
- Disease Burden
- In 2022, India recorded:
- 127,526 new cervical cancer cases
- 79,906 deaths
- India contributes over 65% of cervical cancer cases in the South-East Asia Region (SEARO).
- Screening Gap
- Only 1.9% of women aged 30–49 in India have undergone cervical cancer screening.
- Low screening coverage increases late detection and mortality rates.
- Vaccine Hesitancy Concerns
- Public hesitancy remains due to a 2009-10 vaccine trial controversy in Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat, where seven girls died, though later investigations found no direct causal link with the vaccine.
- Implementation Requirements
- Strong cold chain systems for vaccine storage.
- Transparent monitoring and reporting of Adverse Events Following Immunisation (AEFI).
- Public awareness to improve vaccine acceptance.
Relevant Prelims Points:
- HPV (Human Papillomavirus)
- A sexually transmitted virus responsible for most cervical cancer cases.
- High-risk strains include HPV-16 and HPV-18.
- Cervical Cancer
- Develops in the cells of the cervix (lower part of uterus).
- Major cause: persistent HPV infection.
- HPV Vaccine
- Prevents infection from cancer-causing HPV strains.
- Recommended for adolescent girls before sexual exposure.
- AEFI (Adverse Events Following Immunisation)
- Any medical occurrence after vaccination, not necessarily caused by the vaccine.
- WHO Recommendation (2022)
- Supports single-dose HPV vaccination schedule for improved global coverage.
Relevant Mains Points:
- Public Health Importance
- Cervical cancer is largely preventable through vaccination and screening.
- Early vaccination significantly reduces HPV transmission and cancer risk.
- Challenges in Implementation
- Vaccine hesitancy and misinformation.
- Weak screening infrastructure in rural areas.
- Need for robust surveillance of AEFI.
- Policy Significance
- Aligns with India’s National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS).
- Supports SDG-3 (Good Health and Well-being).
- Global Best Practices
- More than 90 countries have adopted HPV vaccination programmes.
- Countries with high coverage show significant decline in cervical cancer incidence.
- Way Forward
- Integrate vaccination with school health programmes.
- Expand screening using HPV DNA tests and Pap smears.
- Improve public awareness campaigns.
- Strengthen health system capacity for immunisation logistics.
UPSC Relevance:
- GS Paper II: Public health policy and governance.
- GS Paper III: Biotechnology and medical innovations.
- Prelims: Vaccines, health programmes, international health recommendations.