Girls aged 9–16 years will be priority group for inoculation. The planned drive is part of the government’s efforts to combat rising cancer rates in the country.
Published Feb 20, 2025 | 7:00 AM ⚊ Updated Feb 20, 2025 | 7:00 AM
Cervical cancer vaccine likely to be administered in girls aged between 9 and 14 years in June. Representational Image. (Soumen Hazra)
Synopsis: Union Minister Prataprao Jadhav said the research on the vaccine is nearing completion, and clinical trials are currently underway. Jadhav said the vaccine will specifically combat breast, oral, and cervical cancers, which disproportionately affect women. However, the country will have to wait another five to six months before the vaccine is rolled out.
India is inching closer to providing women vaccines to combat cancer a year after Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced it in Parliament.
The country, however, will have to wait for about half a year more before the plan materialises.
A vaccine targeting cancers largely affecting women — breast, cervical, and oral cancers — is expected to become available within five to six months, Union Minister of State holding independent charge of Health, Family Welfare and Ayush Prataprao Jadhav announced on Tuesday, 18 February.
Girls aged 9–16 years would be prioritised for inoculation as part of the government’s efforts to combat rising cancer rates in the country.
The push for vaccination against HPV (human papillomaviruses) gained momentum with Sitharaman while presenting the Interim Budget 2024-25, underscoring the importance of inoculating girls aged 9-14 to prevent cervical cancer.
She announced that the government would actively encourage vaccination for eligible categories and integrate various maternal and child healthcare schemes into a comprehensive programme.
Addressing a news conference in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Jadhav revealed that research on the vaccine was nearing completion, with clinical trials currently underway.
“The number of cancer patients has surged across the country,” the minister said. “To address this, the central government is rolling out large-scale screening for women above 30 at hospitals and establishing daycare cancer centers for early detection,” he added.
Jadhav confirmed that customs duties on life-saving cancer medications have been waived to reduce treatment costs.
“The vaccine will specifically combat breast, oral, and cervical cancers, which disproportionately affect women. Once approved, it will be a critical preventive tool for young girls,” he added.
Cervical cancer remains a significant public health concern in India, with the disease contributing substantially to the overall cancer burden.
According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the estimated number of cancer cases in India exceeded 14 lakh in 2023, with around 100 out of every one lakh people diagnosed with cancer.
Among these instances, cervical cancer accounted for 82,429 cases, making it one of the most prevalent cancers among Indian women.
The highest number of cases were reported in Uttar Pradesh (11,451), followed by Maharashtra (7,265) and Tamil Nadu (5,926). The rising incidence has been attributed to multiple factors, including increased life expectancy, population growth, improved awareness about cancer, and advancements in diagnostic techniques enabling early detection.
Mortality rates due to cervical cancer have also been significant. Data from the ICMR-National Cancer Registry Programme (ICMR-NCRP) indicated that cervical cancer remained the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women in India, with an age-standardised incidence rate of 22 per 100,000 women and a mortality rate of 12.4 per 100,000 women.
Reports, based on Globocan data and various cancer registries, from the George Institute of Global Health have further highlighted the severity of the issue. Approximately 83.2 per cent of invasive cervical cancers in India have been attributed to HPV types 16 and 18, emphasising the need for preventive measures, including widespread vaccination.
Recognising the growing threat of cervical cancer, the Indian government has taken multiple steps to introduce HPV vaccination as a preventive measure.
The National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (NTAGI), in its 17th meeting held on 28 June 2022, recommended the inclusion of the HPV vaccine in the Universal Immunization Programme (UIP).
However, as of now, the UIP, which provides 11 vaccines against 12 Vaccine-Preventable Diseases (VPDs), does not yet include the HPV vaccine at the national level.
Nevertheless, individual states such as Sikkim and Bihar have initiated HPV vaccination programmes targeting girls aged 9-14 years.
Sikkim introduced its vaccination programme in 2018, while Bihar launched its Mukhyamantri Balika Cancer Immunisation Scheme on 6 October 2024.
The HPV vaccine is a safe and effective vaccine that could help prevent cervical cancer. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the HPV vaccine for preteens aged 11–12 years and for everyone up to age 26 who has not already been vaccinated.
Some adults aged 27–45 may also consider getting the vaccine after consulting the doctor.
The HPV vaccine protects against the types of HPV that cause most cervical cancers and can prevent more than 90 per cent of HPV-related cancers. It has also been shown to reduce the number of pre-cancerous cervical cells in young women, thereby lowering the risk of developing cervical cancer later in life.
The vaccine is administered in a series of two or three doses, depending on the age at which the vaccination begins. For those who receive their first dose before the age of 15, two doses are typically sufficient, while those starting the vaccination at 15 years or older require three doses for full protection.
The HPV vaccine may have mild side effects such as soreness, swelling, or redness at the injection site. Some individuals may experience dizziness, fainting, headaches, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, or weakness, but serious side effects are rare.
Despite its effectiveness and safety, the uptake of the HPV vaccine in India remains limited, highlighting the need for continued awareness and accessibility efforts.
Russia is making significant advancements in cancer treatment with the development of a personalised mRNA vaccine, which is expected to be available to patients free of cost.
This innovative vaccine is designed to strain the immune system to identify and attack cancer cells by using genetic material derived from the patient’s tumor.
The process involves artificial intelligence (AI) analysing genetic mutations within the tumor in under an hour, allowing for rapid customisation of the vaccine to effectively target specific cancer cells.
Pre-clinical trials have shown promising results, with the vaccine demonstrating the ability to suppress tumor development and metastasis. However, experts remain cautious, citing the need for more extensive data on its effectiveness across various cancer types and patient populations.
The Gamaleya National Research Centre for Epidemiology and Microbiology, which is spearheading the vaccine’s development, has emphasised the complex process involved in its production.
The vaccine relies on AI-driven computations conducted by the Ivannikov Institute, where neural network computing plays a crucial role in analysing tumor-specific mutations. Once developed, the vaccine introduces tumor-derived antigens into the body, prompting an immune response that generates antibodies to attack cancer cells.
The Russian government has committed to covering the cost, estimated at 300,000 rubles (approximately USD 2,869) per dose, ensuring accessibility for eligible patients.
According to Andrey Kaprin, Head of the Radiology Medical Research Centre, the vaccine is intended for cancer treatment rather than prevention, marking a major step toward personalised oncology solutions.
(Edited by Majnu Babu).
