Seven months after the launch of the national campaign in India, over 8 million doses of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine have been administered to 14-year-old girls. This campaign was initiated by the Cervical Cancer Prevention Center.
The national HPV vaccination campaign started on February 28 and aims to prevent cervical cancer, which is the second most common type of cancer among women in India. Approximately 80,000 new cases of this disease are registered annually in the country, along with more than 42,000 deaths.
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare reported on Friday that states such as Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Mizoram have achieved one hundred percent vaccination coverage. Furthermore, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, and Assam have exceeded 90 percent vaccination levels.
Although the ministry did not disclose exact figures, estimates from the Registrar General of India (RGI) for 2021 suggest that the campaign could cover 12 million girls annually.
Under this program, the Gardasil-4 vaccine from MSD is provided free of charge in government medical facilities, including Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, Primary Health Centres (PHCs), Community Health Centres (CHCs), district and sub-district hospitals, and government medical colleges.
Until February of this year, the vaccine was only available in private clinics at a cost of up to 4000 rupees per dose. The National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (NTAGI), India's apex immunization body, recommended its inclusion in the national HPV vaccination campaign.
HPV vaccination, which was initially used predominantly in high-income countries, is gradually being integrated into national immunization programs in countries of varying income levels. Currently, 87 percent of middle and high-income countries, 78 percent of lower-middle-income countries, and 54 percent of low-income countries have incorporated HPV vaccines into their National Immunization Programs.
More than 800 million doses of HPV vaccines (Gardasil) have been distributed worldwide.
Yesterday, the Supreme Court declined to hear a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) that raised questions regarding the government's HPV vaccination campaign. The suit, filed by the Universal Health Organisation, alleged that the HPV vaccination program violates constitutional guarantees of informed consent, bodily autonomy, transparency, and accountability.
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare stated on Friday that all vaccinations under the campaign are voluntary and conducted with parental consent in government medical facilities. The Ministry added that 'government medical facilities are also linked with 24-hour medical facilities for proper management of adverse events following immunization (AEFI)'.
India has integrated Gardasil into its national immunization program in partnership with the Gavi alliance. According to informed sources, 'procurement meets strict quality and cold chain standards, enabling the government to provide the vaccine free of charge to eligible girls across all states and union territories.'
The Ministry also clarified that health authorities coordinate their efforts with schools, local authorities, and healthcare workers to ensure unimpeded access to the vaccine.
