India's HPV Vaccination Drive

Target Group: Girls aged 14 years (voluntary, free of cost) at designated government health facilities (Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, District Hospitals).
Vaccine Used: Gardasil (quadrivalent) – protects against HPV types 6, 11, 16, 18.
Regimen: Single‑dose schedule as per WHO recommendation; optional second dose after 3‑5 years.
Efficacy: Reduces cervical cancer risk by >85% when administered in teenage years; overall effectiveness 93‑100% against HPV‑related cancers.
Disease Burden: Cervical cancer is the 2nd most common cancer among Indian women – ~80,000 new cases & 42,000 deaths per year.
Procurement: Through GAVI partnership; vaccines approved by CDSCO.
Advisory Body: National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (NTAGI) recommended introduction.
Implementation Platform: Special campaign days tracked via U‑WIN digital platform, separate from routine UIP.

HPV: A group of >200 DNA viruses; high‑risk types 16 & 18 cause ~85% of cervical cancers in India.
Global Goal: WHO’s Cervical Cancer Elimination Strategy (WHA 73.2) aims for 90% vaccination of girls by age 15, 70% screening of women, and 90% treatment of identified cases by 2030.
National Policy: Union Budget 2024 emphasized vaccination for girls aged 9‑14 years; aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 3 (Good Health & Well‑being).

Public Health Impact: Potentially avert millions of cancer cases and reduce mortality, easing the health‑care burden.
Women’s Empowerment: Directly addresses gender‑specific health inequities.
Health System Strengthening: Utilises digital tracking (U‑WIN) and expands cold‑chain capacity.
International Collaboration: Leverages GAVI support, showcasing India’s engagement with global health initiatives.

Article 21 – Right to health as part of the right to life.
National Health Policy 2017 – Emphasises preventive health and universal immunisation.
National Immunisation Programme (NIP) Act – Provides legal framework for large‑scale vaccination drives.