-By ArdorComm News Network
April 7, 2025
The Union Health Ministry is set to launch comprehensive capacity-building initiatives for frontline workers involved in administering the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, as part of its ongoing efforts to prevent cervical cancer among young girls.
This follows Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s announcement in the 2024 interim budget encouraging HPV vaccination for girls aged 9–14. Sources indicate that multiple meetings have been held by the ministry to devise a detailed strategy for the rollout.
“Capacity building for frontline health workers, along with sensitization through IEC (Information, Education, and Communication) activities, is being planned for smooth implementation of the HPV vaccination program,” a senior official confirmed.
The National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (NTAGI) had recommended the inclusion of the HPV vaccine in India’s Universal Immunisation Programme in June 2022.
Currently, India has access to vaccines from MSD Pharmaceuticals and Serum Institute of India. MSD’s Gardasil 4 and Serum Institute’s Cervavac target four HPV sub-types: 6, 11, 16, and 18. Gardasil 9 — India’s first gender-neutral HPV vaccine — offers protection against nine HPV sub-types and is available for girls (9–26 years) and boys (9–15 years).
The vaccines provide protection against cervical, vulvar, vaginal, and anal cancers, as well as genital warts in both males and females. Sub-types 16 and 18 are the leading causes of cervical cancer, officials noted. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends a single-dose vaccine for optimal protection.
India, home to 16% of the world’s women, accounts for nearly 25% of global cervical cancer cases and 33% of related deaths. Each year, around 80,000 Indian women are diagnosed with cervical cancer, and approximately 35,000 succumb to the disease.
Source: Business Standard