New Delhi, February 26 – The Indian government’s decision to launch the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign is a crucial step towards achieving the World Health Organization's (WHO) goal of eliminating cervical cancer, experts said on Thursday, while emphasizing the vaccine's safety and effectiveness.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch the nationwide HPV vaccination campaign for girls aged 14 on February 28 from Ajmer, Rajasthan.
The campaign will involve the administration of Gardasil 4, a quadrivalent vaccine that protects against HPV types 16 and 18, which cause cervical cancer, as well as types 6 and 11.
According to Dr. Mukurdipi Ray, a professor of Surgical Oncology at the All India Institute of Medical Science, Delhi, a single dose of quadrivalent HPV vaccine (such as Gardasil 4 or Cervavac) offers significant benefits for a 14-year-old Indian girl.
Ray explained that a study involving 17,000 vaccinated girls (2009-2010) showed a single-dose efficacy of 92% against persistent infections caused by HPV types 16 and 18, which account for 83% of Indian cervical cancers, even 10-15 years later, comparable to 2/3 doses.
He also stated that no high-grade pre-cancerous lesions were detected in the vaccinated groups, and projections indicate that it could prevent one million lifetime cases nationally, bringing the incidence below the WHO's elimination threshold in all states.
"This initiative aligns with India's goal of eliminating cervical cancer by 2026, targeting this age group," Ray told