Girls aged 9 to 14 to get cervical cancer vaccines through schools

Context

The Centre has said cervical cancer vaccine for girls aged between 9 and 14 years will be provided primarily through schools.

The decision has been taken on the recommendations of the National Technical Advisory Group for Immunization (NTAGI).
It has recommended the introduction of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine in the ‘Universal Immunization Programme’.
The Centre has informed the state and Union Territories (UTs), to start collating the number of girls enrolled in classes 5th to 10th in each district.
For registration, recording and reporting of vaccination numbers, the U-WIN App would be used.

It is a type of cancer that occurs in the cells of the cervix - the lower part of the uterus that connects to the vagina.
Various strains of the Human papillomavirus (HPV) play a role in causing most cervical cancer.
When exposed to HPV, the body's immune system typically prevents the virus from harming. In a small percentage of people, however, the virus survives for years, contributing to the process that causes some cervical cells to become cancer cells.
Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women
It is estimated that HPV types 16 and 18 (HPV-16 and HPV-18) together contribute to approximately 70% of all invasive cervical cancer cases worldwide.

Cervical cancer ranks as the 2nd most prevalent cancer in India.
It accounts for nearly one-fourth of the world’s cervical cancer deaths despite being largely preventable.
Current estimates indicate that every year approximately 1.25 lakh women are diagnosed with cervical cancer, and over 75 thousand die from the disease in India.

Cervical cancer is a preventable and curable disease, as long as it is detected early and managed effectively.
The HPV vaccine can prevent most cases of cervical cancer if the vaccine is given before girls or women are exposed to the virus.
Prevention through vaccination is one of the pillars of the global strategy adopted by the World Health Organisation (WHO) for the elimination of cervical cancer.

India is expected to roll out the indigenously developed CERVAVAC vaccine by mid-2023.
The vaccine has been received by the Drugs Controller General of India’s approval.
It has been cleared by the government advisory panel NTAGI for use in the public health programme.
It will be a one-time catch-up vaccine will be provided for 9- to 14-year-old adolescent girls.
Subsequently, it will be introduced at 9 years.

It is the first indigenously developed Human Papillomavirus Vaccine.
Manufacturer: Pune-based Serum Institute of India in coordination with the Government of India’s Department of Biotechnology (DBT).

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common viral infection of the reproductive tract.
There are more than 100 types of HPV.
More than 40 types of HPV are spread through direct sexual contact.
Out of these 40, two cause genital warts, while about a dozen of HPV cause different types of cancer including cervical, anal, oropharyngeal, penile, vulvar and vaginal.

Types of HPV Vaccines:

Quadrivalent vaccine (Gardasil): It protects against four types of HPV (HPV 16, 18, 6 and 11). The latter two strains cause genital warts.
Bivalent vaccine (Cervarix): It protects against HPV 16 and 18 only.
Non-valent vaccine (Gardasil 9): It protects against nine strains of HPV.
- These vaccines prevent cervical cancer in women and girls who have not yet been exposed to the virus.