India’s Fight Against Cervical Cancer: HPV Vaccination Campaign

13 Jan 2024

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 and Catch-Up Drive with Cervavac Launch for Girls 

  • 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.

Cervavac: India’s Breakthrough Quadrivalent HPV Vaccine for Cervical Cancer Prevention

  • 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.
  • How does the Vaccine Work?

    • 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.

Combatting Cervical Cancer: Understanding HPV, Prevention, and the Impact in India

  • About: Cervical cancer is a growth of cells that starts in the cervix. 

About Human Papillomavirus:

  • 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.

Transformative Healthcare: Success and Impact of India’s Universal Immunization Programme (UIP)

  • 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.


News Source:
Indian Express

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Quick Revise Now !
UDAAN PRELIMS WALLAH
Comprehensive coverage with a concise format
Integration of PYQ within the booklet
Designed as per recent trends of Prelims questions
हिंदी में भी उपलब्ध

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