India’s Fight Against Cervical Cancer: HPV Vaccination Campaign

GS Paper III Science and Technology

Context:

The Indian government plans to launch an HPV immunisation campaign to curb cervical cancer cases in the second quarter of the year.

Free Vaccinations for Girls: The initiative will offer free vaccinations to girls aged 9-14 in three phases over the next three years.
Addressing Missed Vaccinations: The “catch-up” phase will address missed vaccinations, with the HPV vaccine later becoming part of the routine immunization program for 9-year-old girls.
Use of Indigenously Developed Cervavac: The indigenously developed Cervavac will be used in the government campaign.

Quadrivalent Nature: Cervavac is India’s first indigenously developed quadrivalent human papillomavirus (qHPV) vaccine designed to prevent cervical cancer.
- It is based on VLP (Virus-Like Particles)
Developed by: The Serum Institute of India in collaboration with the Government of India’s Department of Biotechnology (DBT).

A quadrivalent vaccine is a vaccine that works by stimulating an immune response against four different antigens, such as four different viruses or other microorganisms.

- HPV vaccines prevent the entry of four common HPV types: 16, 18, 6, and 11.
- Key HPV Types Targeted:
  - Types 16 and 18: These are the most oncogenic HPV types, causing approximately 70% of all global cervical cancer cases.
    - The vaccine focuses on preventing infections from these high-risk strains.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a viral infection that’s passed between people through skin-to-skin contact.
There are over 100 varieties of HPV, more than 40 of which are passed through sexual contact and can affect genitals, mouth, or throat.
However, some types of HPV can lead to the development of genital warts and even cancers of the cervix, anus, and throat.

- The cervix is the lower part of the uterus that connects to the vagina.
Causes: It is caused by persistent infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV).
Prevention:

- Vaccination at age 9–14 years is a very effective way to prevent HPV infection, cervical cancer and other HPV-related cancers.
Cervical Cancer in India:
- Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in Indian women.
- India accounts for nearly a fifth of global cervical cancer cases, with approximately 1.25 lakh cases and 75,000 deaths annually.
- According to a recent study published in The Lancet, India accounted for nearly one in every four deaths globally due to cervical cancer.

The Expanded Programme on Immunization was launched in 1978.
It was renamed the Universal Immunization Programme in 1985 when its reach was expanded beyond urban areas.
Funding Pattern of Scheme: 100 Percent Funded by the central government
Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Health & Family Welfare
Under UIP, immunization is provided free of cost against 12 vaccine-preventable diseases:
- Nationally against 9 diseases – Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus, Polio, Measles, Rubella, severe form of Childhood Tuberculosis, Hepatitis B and Meningitis & Pneumonia caused by Haemophilus Influenzae type B
- Sub-nationally against 3 diseases – Rotavirus diarrhea, Pneumococcal Pneumonia and Japanese Encephalitis;
  - Rotavirus vaccine and Pneumococcal Conjugate vaccine are in the process of expansion while JE vaccine is provided only in endemic districts.
Major Milestones: The two major milestones of UIP have been the elimination of polio in 2014 and maternal and neonatal tetanus elimination in 2015.