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).

• 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. 

• • 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.

News Source: Indian Express