Health Ministry Yet to Finalize Cervical Cancer Vaccination Campaign: Report

The Health Ministry has not yet finalized the schedule for the vaccination campaign against the human papillomavirus (HPV). The National Technical Advisory Group for Immunisation (NTAGI) has recommended that the HPV vaccine be administered to adolescent girls aged nine to 14 years.

The Ministry is expected to roll out the vaccine in the second quarter of this year.

In June 2022, the Health Ministry announced that NTAGI had recommended the inclusion of the HPV vaccine in the government’s universal immunisation programme. This would involve a one-time catch-up shot for girls aged nine to 14, followed by routine vaccination starting at nine years.

Historical Context

The announcement came after evaluating new evidence on the cervical cancer burden and the effectiveness of a single dose of the HPV vaccine, including clinical trial data and Sikkim’s experience with the vaccine.

The World Health Organisation’s Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE) has stated that the HPV vaccine is highly effective in preventing HPV serotypes 16 and 18, which cause 70% of cervical cancer cases.

Globally, cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women. In India, it is the second most common cancer among women, contributing significantly to the global cervical cancer burden, according to Union government data.

Past Controversies

In India, the HPV vaccine faced significant backlash over a decade ago. The government was criticized by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare in its 2013 report titled “Alleged Irregularities in the Conduct of Studies using Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) Vaccine by PATH in India.”

The Committee noted the reported deaths of some female children and adolescents in Andhra Pradesh’s Khammam district following HPV vaccine trials conducted by the American agency Programme for Appropriate Technology in Health (PATH), in collaboration with the government. The project was reportedly funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Future Plans

Cervical cancer is a preventable and curable disease if detected early and managed effectively. According to The Hindu, the vaccination will be provided at health facilities, while for out-of-school girls, the campaign will be conducted through community outreach and mobile teams. The Health Ministry has alerted State governments to its efforts to initiate the campaign.

Summary

• Current Status: Health Ministry has not yet finalized the schedule for the HPV vaccination campaign.
• Target Group: Adolescent girls aged nine to 14 years.
• Expected Rollout: Second quarter of this year.
• Historical Context:
  • NTAGI recommended the vaccine’s inclusion in the universal immunisation programme in June 2022.
  • WHO’s SAGE supports the vaccine’s effectiveness against HPV serotypes 16 and 18.
  • Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women in India.
• Past Controversies:
  • Significant backlash over a decade ago.
  • Criticism from the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare in 2013.
  • Reported deaths in Andhra Pradesh following vaccine trials by PATH.
• Future Plans:
  • Vaccination at health facilities and through community outreach for out-of-school girls.
  • State governments alerted to initiate the campaign.