HPV Vaccine (Health, Diseases and Biotechnology)
HPV Vaccine (Health, Diseases and Biotechnology)
Why In News:
Serum Institute of India's HPV vaccine (Cervavac) is expected to be included in India's Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP) after 2027.
This is a significant public health milestone, as HPV (Human Papillomavirus) is the primary cause of cervical cancer - the second most common cancer among women in India.
What is HPV and Why Does it Matter?
Human Papillomavirus (HPV): A sexually transmitted virus. Most HPV infections are cleared by the immune system, but persistent high-risk HPV strains (primarily HPV-16 and HPV-18) cause almost all cases of cervical cancer.
Cervical Cancer Burden in India: India accounts for approximately 22-23% of the global cervical cancer burden.
Cervavac: Serum Institute of India's indigenous HPV vaccine. It is a quadrivalent vaccine (targeting 4 HPV strains). India's first domestically developed HPV vaccine, making it significantly more affordable than imported alternatives.
Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP)
UIP Coverage: India's UIP is one of the largest public health programmes in the world, covering vaccines against 12 vaccine-preventable diseases: TB, Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus, Polio, Measles, Rubella, Hepatitis B, Meningitis, Pneumonia (Hib), Japanese Encephalitis, and Rotavirus diarrhoea.
Ministry Responsible: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Programme operates through the Health Management Information System (HMIS).
Mission Indradhanush: Launched in 2014 to accelerate full immunisation coverage to children and pregnant women who are partially immunised or unimmunised. Intensified Mission Indradhanush 5.0 was launched in 2023.
HPV Vaccine Decision: The National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (NTAGI) recommends vaccine additions to the UIP. The government introduced HPV vaccination as a pilot before full UIP integration. Target age group: girls aged 9-14 years.
Global Context: WHO recommends HPV vaccination as a key strategy for the elimination of cervical cancer as a public health problem (defined as less than 4 cases per 100,000 women per year).