From next month, the indigenously developed cervical cancer human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is likely to be introduced in the Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP) as a two-dose regimen for adolescent girls aged 9-14 years.

Sources in the Union Health Ministry said that the vaccine would be launched mid-May at an event to be introduced in the UIP.  A sexually transmitted disease, HPV is estimated to cause more than 8 lakh cases every year. HPV vaccination can prevent many cervical cancer-related deaths.

In June last year, the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (NTAGI) had recommended the introduction of the HPV vaccine in the UIP with “a one-time catch-up for 9-14-year-old adolescent girls, followed by routine introduction at 9 years.”

This was based on fresh evidence on disease burden, evidence on the effectiveness of the single dose of HPV vaccine, clinical trial data and experience of the Government of Sikkim on the introduction of the vaccine.

“The indigenously developed quadrivalent HPV vaccine may be considered for introduction in the UIP as a two-dose regimen, as indicated in the product insert. Immunisation of boys is recommended once 80 per cent routine vaccination coverage is achieved in girls,” Minister of State for Health Bharati Pravin Pawar had said in a written reply in Rajya Sabha a few months ago.

HPV usually goes away on its own without any treatment, but in some females, it can cause cervical cancer.

Widespread HPV vaccination can reduce the impact of HPV-caused cervical and other cancers worldwide.  These vaccines prevent infection by certain types of HPV. The available HPV vaccines can guard against either two, four, or nine types of HPVs. All HPV vaccines guard against minimum HPV types 16 and 18, which is responsible for the greatest risk of cervical cancer, according to health experts.

India  accounts for about a quarter of all cervical cancer incidences and nearly a third of global cervical cancer deaths.

According to some recent estimates, every year almost 80,000 women develop cervical cancer and 35,000 die due to it in India.