This stance comes despite overwhelming evidence that HPV vaccination is a crucial preventive measure against cervical cancer, which claims the lives of approximately 200 women in India every day.
Published Mar 08, 2025 | 7:00 AM ⚊ Updated Mar 08, 2025 | 7:00 AM
Synopsis: Despite acknowledging the severe impact of cervical cancer, Andhra Pradesh’s TDP government said it has no plans to introduce the HPV vaccine, and has instead shifted the responsibility onto the Union government. With India losing approximately 200 women daily to the disease, public health experts have long stressed that vaccination is a crucial preventive measure, yet the state continues to focus solely on screening efforts.
A day before International Women’s Day, on Friday, 7 March, Andhra Pradesh Health Minister Satyakumar Yadav stated in the state legislative council that the Telugu Desam Party (TDP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government has no plans to introduce the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine for girls to prevent cervical cancer, citing the absence of a directive from the Union government.
This stance comes despite overwhelming evidence that HPV vaccination is a crucial preventive measure against cervical cancer, which claims the lives of approximately 200 women in India every day.
The minister acknowledged the severe impact of cervical cancer, noting that in 2020 alone, 1,23,907 new cases were diagnosed, and 77,348 women lost their lives to the disease.
However, rather than taking a proactive approach, he placed the responsibility on the central government, stating, “The central government is studying vaccines. We will make a decision on vaccination based on the centre’s directive.”
Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women in India, with HPV responsible for the majority of cases.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has long recommended including HPV vaccines in national immunisation programmes, particularly for girls aged 9-14, to significantly reduce the risk of infection.
The statistics are alarming: in 2020, 18 out of every 100,000 women in India were diagnosed with cervical cancer, with a mortality rate of 11.4 per 100,000.
The state government has highlighted its efforts in cancer screening, reporting that of the 1.40 crore individuals screened in Andhra Pradesh, 31,784 suspected cases were identified, with 324 confirmed cervical cancer cases. However, screening alone is not enough – prevention through vaccination is key to addressing this public health crisis.
Globally, HPV vaccination is regarded as a cornerstone of cervical cancer prevention.
As of December 2022, 126 countries – covering 64.9 percent of the global population – had introduced the HPV vaccine into their national immunisation programmes. The WHO’s 2020 Global Strategy to Accelerate the Elimination of Cervical Cancer calls for 90 percent of girls to be vaccinated by the age of 15 by 2030.
In contrast, India has been slow to integrate HPV vaccination into its routine immunisation programme.
While the Union government has announced plans to introduce the vaccine under the Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP), states like Andhra Pradesh continue to wait for directives instead of taking independent action.
The primary beneficiaries of HPV vaccination are girls aged 9-14, a demographic that Andhra Pradesh has the capacity to reach effectively.
According to Gram Sachivalayam and Ward Sachivalayam (GSWS) data, the state has 22,74,374 girls in this age group. Yet, the absence of a state-driven vaccination initiative leaves them vulnerable to a preventable disease.
At present, the state administers 11 vaccines under the UIP but excludes HPV, despite its proven efficacy.
Experts argue that integrating the HPV vaccine into existing school-based immunisation efforts could significantly reduce cervical cancer rates in the long run.
The reluctance to implement HPV vaccination partly stems from financial concerns and logistical challenges. However, studies indicate that preventing cervical cancer through vaccination is far more cost-effective than treating the disease.
The WHO states that achieving over 80 percent vaccination coverage in girls can also reduce the risk of HPV infection for boys, contributing to broader public health benefits.
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
