Government to Promote HPV Vaccination for Girls Aged 9-14 to Prevent Cervical Cancer, as Announced in Interim Budget

Kolkata‘s medical community has praised the interim announcement made by the government on encouraging cervical cancer vaccination for girls aged between 9 and 14 years. The state’s cancer registry at the Chittaranjan National Cancer Institute (CNCI) indicates that 9.9% of cancer cases in women in Kolkata are cervical cancer. This data includes information from five hospitals, namely CNCI, Tata Medical Centre, Apollo Multispecialty Hospital, Peerless Hospital, and Saroj Gupta Cancer Centre & Research Institute (SGCCRI). Experts predict the prevalence is even higher in rural Bengal if mass screening is conducted. Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women, with a higher incidence in rural areas.

The vaccine for cervical cancer prevents the disease caused by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), which is sexually transmitted. However, the number of women opting for the HPV vaccine is low due to its high cost. At present, there are two HPV vaccines available in India, with complete vaccination costing between Rs 10,000 and Rs 20,000 per person. In order to make the vaccine accessible to a larger number of women, doctors emphasize the need for it to be provided for free as part of routine immunization.

Experts state that not all individuals with an HPV infection will develop cervical cancer. However, the risk increases when the infection becomes chronic. Other risk factors for cervical cancer include early marriage, multiple pregnancies, lack of menstrual hygiene, and co-existing HIV infection. Medical professionals recommend girls should receive the vaccine before becoming sexually active for maximum effectiveness. The medical community in Kolkata and across India has praised the government’s commitment to promoting HPV vaccination as a preventive measure against cervical cancer.

This announcement comes two years after the recommendation by the National Technical Advisory Group for Immunization (NTAGI) to include the HPV vaccine in the Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) to combat cervical cancer in women. While the interim budget speech by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman signals that the government will actively promote vaccination to prevent cervical cancer, specific details regarding the inclusion of the vaccine in the national immunization program are yet to be provided.

Cervical cancer ranks as the second most common cancer among women in India and contributes significantly to the global burden of the disease. The prevalence of HPV remains high due to low awareness and limited access to vaccination programs. Screening rates in India, particularly in rural areas, are also alarmingly low, leading to late-stage diagnoses and inadequate access to timely treatment. The commitment to eliminate cervical cancer through vaccination, screening, early diagnosis, and treatment is paramount.

Several states in India, including Delhi, Punjab, Sikkim, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Mizoram, and Uttar Pradesh, have already taken proactive steps to offer free HPV vaccination to girls in selected districts as part of pilot programs. These initiatives are aimed at achieving high coverage rates among the target population. It is crucial for the government to further explore partnerships and research opportunities to enhance cervical cancer prevention and treatment strategies in India.