By April-May next year, a nationwide vaccination campaign for girls aged 9-14 is anticipated to commence, featuring an indigenously developed and more affordable human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine aimed at preventing cervical cancer. Dr. N K Arora, the chairperson of the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (NTAGI), disclosed this information, citing a high-level political commitment.
The vaccine, named Cervavac and developed by the Serum Institute of India (SII), offers protection against four HPV strains (16, 18, 6, and 11). SII CEO Adar Poonawalla had previously mentioned a likely pricing range of Rs 200-400 per dose, significantly lower than the current market prices of Rs 2,500-3,300 per dose.
Drawing on the successful experience in Sikkim, where a similar vaccination program achieved high coverage, Dr. Arora emphasized the initial campaign-style vaccination for the 9-14 age group, followed by its inclusion in routine immunization for nine-year-olds.
Reflecting on the Delhi government’s less successful HPV immunization program, Dr. Arora highlighted the importance of introducing the vaccine in schools and beyond, reaching girls who are not in the educational system.
Considering lessons from the Covid-19 vaccination drive, Dr. Arora suggested the use of a system akin to CoWIN and stressed the importance of effective communication to address any potential hesitancy.
In addition to the vaccination initiative, Dr. Arora underscored the need for screening women above the age of 30 for cervical diseases. He emphasized that regular checkups can lead to early detection, enabling prompt treatment at the primary healthcare level. SII received approval from the country’s drug regulator in July, following an immunogenicity trial that compared the vaccine’s response to Merck’s Gardasil quadrivalent vaccine across 13 centers.
