HPV Vaccine In India: A Lifesaving Shield Against Cervical Cancer For Young Children
Updated: 28-01-2025 at 6:30 AM
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India will launch a nationwide campaign to immunise girls between the ages of nine and 14 against HPV, also known as human papillomavirus (HPV), which causes cervical cancer.
Although the country has not yet set a date for the campaign, Finance Minister Nirmala S. Sitharaman announced in her Interim budget 2024 speech in February: “Our government will promote vaccination of girls in the age group of 9 to 14 years for the prevention of cervical cancer.”
What Is The HPV Vaccine?
The HPV vaccine is a series of vaccinations designed to protect you from infection with HPV (human papillomavirus), a contagious sexually transmitted infection (STI).
There are 40 strains (types) of HPV that can spread through sexual contact - and in fact 80% of sexually active people will contract one of these strains at some point, although a healthy immune system often fights off these viruses without any problems.
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What Does The HPV Vaccine Do?
The HPV vaccine protects against warts in the genital area. It protects against vaginal cancer of the penis, vulva or anus caused by HPV. The HPV vaccine also protects against throat, mouth and neck cancer caused by HPV.
The vaccine provides the body with a safe way to sensitise the immune system to some strains of HPV. This means that it is easier for the body to eliminate these strains of the virus if a person is later infected.
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Who Should Get The HPV Vaccine?
Everyone, regardless of gender, should get vaccinated before coming into contact with HPV through sexual activity. Remember — the HPV vaccine can only protect you from HPV strains that you have not already been exposed to through an infected partner.
The HPV vaccine is part of the immunisation schedule for children between the ages of 11 and 12, but children as young as 9 can also be safely vaccinated. The aim is to vaccinate children before they become sexually active and expose themselves to the risk.
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What Types Of HPV Vaccines Are There?
The best known is Gardasil 9, which offers protection against nine types of HPV, which are responsible for the majority of HPV-related cancers. The vaccine is approved for both women and men aged 9 to 45. According to recent data, a dose of Gardasil 9 costs Rs 10,850 in India.
Another vaccine, Gardasil, targets four strains of HPV 6, 11, 16 and 18 and has been licensed in India since 2008. It is commercially available for Rs 2,000 to Rs 4,000 per dose. Cervavac can be described as the first HPV vaccine produced in India by the Serum Institute of India. It is approved for boys and girls between the ages of 9 and 26.
Cervavac costs less than the international equivalents with a dose vial that can be purchased for Rs. 4,000. The cost of each dose is therefore Rs. 2,000.
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How Well Do These Vaccines Work?
The HPV vaccination is extremely effective. The HPV vaccine can prevent more than 90 per cent of HPV-related cancers. Since the HPV vaccination was first proposed in 2006 in the USA, the number of infections from HPV forms responsible for most HPV warts and genital cancers has decreased by 88 per cent in teenage girls and 81per cent in young adult women. Young adults and teenagers are less likely to suffer from genital warts.
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Conclusion
HPV vaccination is “our best defence” in protecting against HPV-related cancers. India has a stellar track record in its childhood immunisation program and COVID-19 vaccination campaign. The inclusion of the HPV vaccine in the national immunisation program will help in the fight against cervical cancer.
Want to read more about the HPV vaccine and its redressal in Budget 2024? Click here for more information.
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