India has initiated a nationwide free human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination program, targeting approximately 11.5 million 14-year-old girls. The ambitious initiative, launched in late February in Ajmer, Rajasthan, aims to drastically reduce the country's high burden of cervical cancer.

This marks the first time the HPV vaccine has been integrated into India's universal immunization program. Following a national launch event, individual states and federal territories are rolling out their own programs, incorporating the vaccine into public health facilities. The vaccine being administered is Gardasil, a quadrivalent vaccine that protects against HPV types 16 and 18, which cause most cervical cancers, as well as types 6 and 11, commonly associated with genital warts.

The Global Vaccine Alliance Gavi has highlighted the far-reaching impact of India's large-scale HPV rollout. Given India's substantial share of global cervical cancer cases and deaths, this program is expected to contribute significantly to reducing the worldwide burden of the disease.

Women receiving the HPV vaccine. *Illustration: Vecteezy*

While smaller-scale HPV immunization programs were implemented in India as early as 2008, national expansion previously faced significant obstacles. These included safety concerns, the spread of misinformation, socio-cultural barriers, and logistical complexities. Experts also emphasize the importance of screening women at risk to further reduce future incidence and mortality. However, the program continues to grapple with public hesitation and misunderstandings surrounding the HPV vaccine, particularly due to its association with sexually transmitted infections.

According to Globocan 2022 data, India records over 120,000 new cervical cancer cases and nearly 80,000 deaths annually. This represents approximately 25% of all global deaths attributed to the disease, underscoring the urgent need for comprehensive prevention strategies.

Globally, 160 out of 194 countries have already incorporated the HPV vaccine into their national immunization programs. Many nations are adopting a single-dose schedule to broaden coverage and improve vaccine accessibility, a strategy that India may also consider for wider reach.

Van Ha (According to Gavi)