Source: TP
Subject: Science and Technology
Context: The Government of India is set to launch a nationwide Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination programme to prevent cervical cancer among adolescent girls.
About Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccination:
What it is?
- The HPV vaccine is a recombinant vaccine that uses virus-like genetic material to trigger an immune response without containing a live virus.
- It is a powerful preventive tool designed to protect against high-risk variants of the Human Papillomavirus, which are responsible for the majority of cervical cancer cases globally.
Need for Vaccination:
- High Disease Burden: Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women in India.
- High Mortality: India reports nearly 80,000 new cases and over 42,000 deaths annually—roughly one death every eight minutes.
- Global Impact: India accounts for about one-fifth of the world’s total cervical cancer burden.
- Preventability: According to the WHO, cervical cancer is one of the most preventable forms of cancer if vaccination and screening are widely accessible.
Vector for HPV:
The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is the primary cause of cervical cancer.
- It is a common sexually transmitted infection that persistent infection with high-risk types (particularly 16 and 18) causes abnormal cell changes in the cervix.
- If left untreated, these pre-cancerous lesions can develop into cancer over 10 to 15 years.
Key Features of the Initiative:
- Target Group: Specifically girls who turn 14 years old, as the vaccine is most effective before potential exposure to the virus and generates a stronger immune response at this age.
- Vaccine Used: The programme will use Gardasil-4 (manufactured by Merck & Co.), which protects against four HPV types (16, 18, 6, and 11).
- Dosage Schedule: The government has opted for a single-dose schedule, which WHO research (2022) indicates provides protection comparable to multi-dose regimens for this age group.
- Cost & Access: The vaccine will be voluntary and free of cost at government healthcare facilities like Ayushman Arogya Mandirs and district hospitals.
- Digital Platform: Parents can register and book appointments through U-WIN, the government’s digital immunisation platform.
Significance:
- Vaccination can reduce the risk of developing pre-cancer and cervical cancer by approximately 90% to 95%.
- By providing the vaccine for free, the government removes the significant cost barrier associated with private market vaccines.
