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The Hindu
29-07-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Move on HPV vaccine rollout to adolescent girls raises other vaccination priorities for Kerala: epidemiologists
Kerala's decision to introduce HPV vaccination targeting adolescent girls, to protect them from cervical cancer is generally hailed as a positive public health measure. However, health experts have pointed out that the State has other pressing public health concerns, where also vaccination strategies must be prioritised. Going by the current data from the population-based and hospital-based cancer registries in Kerala, the incidence of cervical cancer has been on a steady decline in the State over the past several years and it no longer figures among the top five cancers affecting women in Kerala, according to epidemiologists. This is consistent with improvements in women's health and hygiene, better sexual practices, education and healthcare access in Kerala. Even though the World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended HPV vaccination for adolescent girls, in Kerala cervical cancer incidence is only eight per lakh population, even when at the national level, cervical cancer remained the second highest of all cancers reported amongst women as in 2022. 'Only if there is an uptick' The committee headed by Dr. B. Ekbal, which submitted the State's Vaccine Policy recommendations in November 2022, had noted that HPV vaccination should be considered in Kerala only if there is an increasing trend in the incidence of cervical cancer from the current baseline. It said that given the fact that the cost of vaccinating 13 lakh adolescent girls would be over ₹200 crore, HPV vaccination was not indicated, nor was it cost effective. Dr. Ekbal says that this picture has changed given that Serum Institute of India is now producing HPV vaccines at much competitive rates. While HPV vaccine manufactured by pharma majors are available in the range of ₹2,000-₹4,000/dose (there is also the HPV vaccine which protects against nine strains of HPV, costing around ₹10,850/dose), Cervavac produced by Serum Institute of India is available at ₹2,000/dose. 'HPV vaccine cost has come down and as far as dosage is concerned, there is some emerging evidence, (as per the WHO), that even a single dose delivers solid protection against HPV. That changes the picture completely. From a gender perspective, I am happy about the State's decision to protect adolescent girls against HPV,' Dr. Ekbal said. Current public health concerns However, the State should not forget its current public health concerns, which included protecting children from rabies through anti-rabies pre-exposure prophylaxis vaccine and from mumps, through an additional dose of MMR vaccine, he said. Rabies is emerging as a serious public health issue in the State, with children being a major casualty, he reminded. 'The mortality and morbidity due to influenza and pneumococcal infections is high in the elderly, the immunocompromised and those with co-morbidities. The State should prioritise annual flu vaccine and pneumococcal vaccine to protect elderly against pneumonia and meningitis,' Dr. Ekbal pointed out. He said that the Health department should recommend these vaccines so that there is more uptake for the same, which can bring down the cost of vaccines. Time to push for elimination 'Introducing HPV for adolescent girls is a policy decision that the Government had taken much earlier. Questions whether HPV vaccination is a priority now can be controversial. It is true that cervical cancer incidence is going down steadily and thus this would be the right time to push through elimination strategies. HPV vaccination is being introduced as part of the State's efforts to eliminate cervical cancer and the operational details are being worked out,' PK Jameela, member, State Planning Board, said.
New Indian Express
25-07-2025
- Health
- New Indian Express
Experts call for HPV awareness to fight cervical cancer
HYDERABAD: Medical experts have voiced serious concern over the alarming rise in cervical cancer cases in India, primarily caused by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), despite it being a highly preventable disease through timely vaccination and regular screening. With over 51.4 crore women aged 15 and above at risk, the country reports 123,907 new cases and 77,348 deaths from cervical cancer every year, making it the second most common cancer among women. The issues were voiced during a panel discussion at the 'Conquer HPV & Cancer Conclave,' organised by the Serum Institute of India (SII) at a star hotel in Hyderabad on Thursday. The Serum Institute, in collaboration with the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), has developed the country's first indigenous gender-neutral quadrivalent HPV vaccine, Cervavac. The vaccine offers protection against HPV types 6, 11, 16, and 18, with types 6 and 11 causing genital warts and types 16 and 18 responsible for cervical cancer. Cervavac is recommended for both girls and boys aged 9 to 26 years. Consultant gynaecologist and gynaecological oncologist at St. Theresa's Hospital and Asvins Hospital, Dr D Leela stated, 'While every HPV-positive case does not mean cervical cancer, counselling is important. Screening is crucial for sexually active women over 30, as 90% of individuals contract HPV at least once by this age. The concern lies in the remaining 10% where the infection becomes persistent,' she told TNIE.
The Hindu
04-07-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Medical experts call for increased vaccination to tackle HPV-associated cancers
Medical professionals at a conclave in Coimbatore on Friday urged greater uptake of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine to prevent cervical and other HPV-associated cancers. The awareness campaign was launched as part of a nationwide public health initiative led by the Serum Institute of India (SII). The panel comprised T.V. Chitra Bhat, Professor and Unit Head, PSG Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (PSG IMS&R); K. Aarathy, MD, Manu Hospital; P. Senthil Kumar, Senior Assistant Professor, Neonatology, Coimbatore Medical College Hospital; A. Jayavardhana, Professor and Head, PSG IMS&R and N. Jayashree, Associate Professor, Cancer Institute, Adyar. The discussion was moderated by Nandhini Kumaran, Consultant, Masonic Hospital and Sri Ramakrishna Hospital. The experts highlighted the need to raise awareness among adolescents and parents and underscored the responsibility of healthcare providers in promoting preventive care. They pointed out that although a safe and effective vaccine is available, uptake remains low in India. 'HPV is not limited to cervical cancer alone. It is also associated with cancers of the vulva, vagina, anus, penis, and oropharynx, affecting both men and women,' said Dr. Senthil Kumar. 'With peak HPV infection occurring between ages 15 and 25, early awareness and timely preventive action are essential. With the availability of Cervavac, an affordable HPV vaccine developed in India, it has become easier to protect individuals from HPV-associated cancers.' During the conclave, the panel noted that India continues to face a high burden of HPV-related diseases, with cervical cancer being the second most common cancer among women. According to the ICO/IARC Information Centre on HPV and Cancer (2023), India reports over 1.23 lakh new cervical cancer cases and more than 77,000 related deaths annually. HPV is also linked to up to 90% of anal cancers and 63% of penile cancers, they said. The experts said limited public knowledge, stigma around discussing sexually transmitted infections, and the absence of routine vaccine recommendations in clinical settings are major reasons for the low coverage.
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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.
