The vaccine prevents HPV infection but cannot cure existing infections. Getting vaccinated early, ideally before exposure, helps the immune system build protection in advance
Cervical cancer remains a major threat in India, but the HPV vaccine could prevent most cases. Doctors explain how the shot works and why it is becoming a powerful cancer prevention tool
Cost had earlier been a barrier. In the private market, vaccines such as Gardasil, manufactured by Merck, cost ₹3,000-4,000 per dose
Millions carry HPV without symptoms, yet its long-term impact can be devastating. India's vaccine rollout marks a pivotal shift towards understanding and preventing this silent driver of cancer
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch the nationwide Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign for girls aged 14 years on February 28 from Rajasthan's Ajmer, leading to the formal start of India's battle to eliminate preventable cancers among women. Single-shot Gardasil 4, a quadrivalent HPV vaccine that provides protection against HPV types 16 and 18 which cause cervical cancer as well as types 6 and 11, will be administered during the campaign. In an official letter sent to all states on February 25, the Union health ministry said that the launch of HPV vaccination campaign for all girls aged 14 years has been planned tentatively at 11.30 am on February 28. "The Prime Minister has kindly consented to launch the campaign from Ajmer, Rajasthan," the letter by Aradhana Patnaik, Additional Secretary and Mission Director (NHM) in the Health Ministry, said. During the launch, all states and Union territories will connect the event virtually through a link in coordination with
Public-health experts say India's free HPV vaccination for 14-year-old girls could significantly lower cervical cancer cases and deaths, but warn success hinges on strong screening and sustained execu
India will launch a nationwide, free and voluntary HPV vaccination campaign for 14-year-old girls, using Gardasil under strict quality norms, as part of efforts to eliminate cervical cancer
The Union government will soon launch a nationwide HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccination programme targeting girls aged 14 and above, official sources said. The Gardasil injection will be administered free of cost, they said. The quadrivalent HPV vaccine protects against HPV types 16 and 18, which cause cervical cancer, as well as types 6 and 11, they said. "Strong global and Indian scientific evidence confirms that a single dose provides robust and durable protection when administered to girls in the recommended age group," an official source said. "Vaccination under the national programme will be voluntary and free of cost, ensuring equitable access across socio-economic groups," the source added.
Researchers have found that menstrual blood testing can reliably detect HPV, raising hopes for more accessible and comfortable cervical cancer screening in the future
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HPV vaccination reduces the incidence of cervical cancer by about 80 per cent in people vaccinated at or before the age of 16, according to findings published Monday in two Cochrane reviews
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Despite stable global coverage, over 14 million infants received no vaccines in 2024, a worrying gap as efforts to meet Immunization Agenda 2030 targets remain off-track
Studies show that widespread HPV vaccination can reduce infection rates by up to 90% and could nearly eliminate cervical cancer in the coming decades
The ₹2,500 test detects HPV DNA in blood, offering early relapse warnings, simpler follow-ups, and a cost-effective alternative to scans and biopsies
The Union Health Ministry is planning to roll out capacity building activities for frontline workers involved in administration of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination, sources said. In her interim budget speech in 2024, Union minister Nirmala Sitharaman had said that the government will encourage vaccination of girls in the age group of 9-14 years to prevent cervical cancer. According to sources, the Union Health Ministry has held several meetings and is working on a detailed strategy for the implementation of the same. "Roll-out of capacity building activities for the frontline workers and IEC (information education and communications) activities for sensitisation purposes are being planned with respect to HPV vaccination," an official source said. In June 2022, National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (NTAGI) had recommended the introduction of HPV vaccine in the Universal Immunisation Programme for adolescent girls in the age group of 9-14 years. Currently, vaccines
According to Global Cancer Observatory (GLOBOCAN) data, an estimated 663,301 women were diagnosed with cervical cancer worldwide in 2022, of which 348,874 women died from the disease
Besides MNCs, the top 30 list also includes two public-sector companies: Orissa Mining Corporation and HLL Life Care
The government has asked all states and Union Territories to create awareness on prevention of cervical cancer, the importance of HPV vaccine among girl and organise vaccination camps in schools. The Education and Health Ministry, in a joint letter, have informed states and UTs that the National Technical Advisory Group for Immunization (NTAGI) has recommended introduction of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine in the Universal Immunization Programme with a one-time catch-up for 9-14 year-old adolescent girls followed with routine introduction at nine years. "Globally, cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women. In India, cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women and India contributes the largest proportion of global cervical cancer burden. "Cervical cancer is a preventable and curable disease as long as it is detected early and managed effectively," said the letter written by Union Education Secretary Sanjay Kumar and Health Secretary Rajesh ...