The central government is planning to roll out a human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign for girls in the 9-14 years age group. According to a report by the Indian Express, the vaccination drive, planned in three phases over three years, is likely to start from the second quarter of this year.
The report reveals that the campaign will begin once the government has a stock of 6.5-7 crore doses of the vaccine needed for the first phase.
Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women in India. The country accounts for about a fifth of the global burden for cervical cancer, recording about 1.25 lakh cases and about 75,000 deaths each year.
According to experts, the vaccine also offers protection against the HPV strains that cause cancer of the anus, vagina and oropharynx. Moreover, it also offers protection against the HPV strains that are responsible for genital warts.
The two-dose HPV vaccine is available commercially for about Rs 2,000 per dose. After the government includes the vaccine in its immunisation programme, it will be available for free. Cervavac, an indigenously developed quadrivalent vaccine by the Serum Institute of India (SII) in Pune, is already available commercially.
Reportedly, the company is in the process of scaling up its manufacturing to meet government requirements. Cervavac offers protection against four HPV strains – 16, 18, 6 and 11.
The immunisation drive will be conducted through schools and existing vaccination points. According to Indian Express, the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (NTAGI) has recommended that the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) conduct trials on the efficacy of a single-dose regimen of HPV vaccine in the age group of 9-15 years.
