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Introduction

Cervical cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among women in India. The introduction of the HPV vaccine into India’s public immunisation framework marks a major shift from curative to preventive healthcare, targeting disease elimination through early intervention.

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Public Health Significance of the HPV Vaccination Programme

• Reduction in cervical cancer burden: India accounts for nearly one-fifth of global cervical cancer cases.
  Eg: India reports over 1.2 lakh new cervical cancer cases annually (Global Cancer Observatory data).
• Prevention before disease onset: HPV vaccination targets adolescents before exposure to infection.
  Eg: Vaccine administered to girls aged 9–14 years under phased public rollout.
• Cost-effective intervention: Vaccination reduces long-term treatment expenditure for advanced cancer.
  Eg: Cervical cancer treatment involves expensive chemotherapy and radiotherapy compared to preventive vaccination.
• Alignment with WHO elimination targets: Supports global strategy to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health problem.
  Eg: WHO’s 90-70-90 target aims for 90% vaccination coverage of girls by age 15.
• Life-course immunisation approach: Expands immunisation beyond infancy to adolescent health.
  Eg: Inclusion of HPV marks expansion of India’s Universal Immunisation Programme scope.

Significance for Strengthening the Preventive Healthcare Framework

• Shift from reactive to preventive model: Focus on vaccination reduces future disease burden.
  Eg: Similar preventive success seen in polio eradication through immunisation.
• Indigenous vaccine development: Enhances vaccine self-reliance and affordability.
  Eg: India’s indigenously developed HPV vaccine, Cervavac, launched in 2022.
• Strengthening adolescent health systems: Integrates with school-based and public health outreach mechanisms.
  Eg: Vaccination drives conducted through government schools and primary health centres.
• Gender-sensitive public health policy: Addresses a cancer affecting only women, promoting health equity.
  Eg: Targeted immunisation of adolescent girls under state-led programmes.
• Reducing long-term healthcare burden: Prevents strain on tertiary cancer care infrastructure.
  Eg: Lower incidence reduces load on oncology centres such as regional cancer institutes.

Conclusion

The HPV vaccination programme represents a transformative step in India’s preventive healthcare strategy. By combining indigenous innovation, adolescent outreach, and gender-sensitive policy, it strengthens long-term public health resilience and aligns India with global cervical cancer elimination goals.

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