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Mahesh

08/03/24 14:10 PM IST

Cervical cancer-free future

In News
  • The push for HPV vaccination for girls in the 2024-25 interim Budget marks a new era in women’s health in India.
The ‘90-70-90’ targets
  • Despite advances in health care, cervical cancer remains the second most common cancer among women in India, with 1.27 lakh cases and around 80,000 deaths being reported annually.
  • Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a primary culprit in the development of cervical cancer.
  • In response to this pressing public health challenge, HPV vaccination emerged as a cornerstone of a comprehensive strategy for disease prevention and health promotion.
  • The World Health Organization has outlined the ‘90-70-90’ targets by 2030 — for 90% of girls to be fully vaccinated with the HPV vaccine by age 15, for 70% of women to undergo cervical cancer screening tests by the age of 35 and 45, and for 90% of women with cervical cancer to be treated.
  • These targets represent milestones in the global effort to eradicate cervical cancer and highlight the pivotal role of India’s call for HPV vaccination in achieving this goal.
  • Across the world, over 100 countries have implemented HPV vaccination programmes, resulting in a notable decline in the incidence of cervical cancer.
  • Australia, which initiated HPV vaccination for girls in 2007 and expanded to include boys in 2013, is poised to eliminate cervical cancer by 2035.
  • Similarly, the successful HPV vaccination campaign in Rwanda, Africa, has significantly reduced the prevalence of vaccine-targeted HPV types, particularly among women who participated in their catch-up programme in 2011.
  • These global success stories underscore the importance of prioritising vaccination for tackling cervical cancer.
South East Asian Region
  • Six out of the 11 South East Asia Region countries have introduced the HPV vaccine nationwide, i.e., Bhutan, Indonesia, the Maldives, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.
  • Bhutan was the first low-middle income country (LMIC) to introduce a nationwide HPV vaccination programme for girls (12 to 18 years) in 2010 and achieved an initial coverage of 95% of targeted girls.
  • Bhutan is also one of the only LMICs to have begun vaccinating boys as well (in 2021).
  • Ongoing programme assessments and research in Thimphu have observed a reduction in the prevalence of HPV types targeted by the vaccine, indicating the programme’s broader impact on reducing HPV transmission in the community.
Sikkim Model
  • Within India, Sikkim’s exemplary approach to HPV vaccination is an example of an effective public health strategy.
  • Through targeted efforts to educate teachers, parents, girls, health-care workers, and the media about the benefits of the HPV vaccine, Sikkim achieved vaccination coverage of 97% during its campaign rollout in 2018.
  • It provides a compelling example of effective communication and outreach. This rigorous effort has not only dispelled myths and misconceptions but has also fostered trust and confidence in the vaccination process.
  • India’s recent milestone in developing its indigenous quadrivalent vaccine, Cervavac, marks a significant stride towards ensuring accessibility and affordability.
  • Developed by the Serum Institute of India in collaboration with the Department of Biotechnology, and priced at ₹2,000 a dose, Cervavac is cheaper than available vaccines, and holds promise in the fight against HPV infections and cervical cancer.
  • Whenever India plans to expand its vaccination programme, there is also an opportunity to include adolescent boys, thereby maximising the impact of HPV vaccination in preventing HPV transmission and HPV-related diseases.
  • Also, in line with recent evidence, it has been recognised that one dose of HPV vaccine provides similar protection to that provided by two or three doses.
Significance of HPV
  • India’s track record in vaccination campaigns, exemplified by the widespread acceptance and coverage of the COVID-19 vaccine, instils confidence in the feasibility of scaling up HPV vaccination efforts.
  • India’s ability to reach remote and underserved populations highlights the inclusivity and accessibility of its vaccination programmes, laying a solid foundation for the success of the HPV vaccination initiative.
  • The importance of HPV vaccination extends beyond individual health outcomes. It has the potential to alleviate the societal and economic burden of cervical cancer.
  • Cervical cancer predominantly strikes women during their prime years, exerting a profound toll on both their families and communities.
  • Premature deaths of young mothers due to cervical cancer negatively impact health and education outcomes in children.
  • By preventing HPV infections, vaccination diminishes the occurrence of cervical cancer and its associated health-care expenses, ultimately fostering the overall welfare and productivity of women.
Concerns
  • Challenges persist, particularly in addressing vaccine hesitancy and ensuring equitable access to HPV vaccination.
  • To overcome these hurdles, concerted efforts are needed to engage communities, dispel misinformation, and strengthen health-care infrastructure.
  • The interim Budget also announced the rollout of U-WIN throughout the country.
  • U-WIN, like Co-WIN that was designed to track the COVID-19 vaccination campaign, is a portal that will maintain an electronic registry of all immunisations across the country and enable vaccination programmes to be responsive in real time.
Way forward
  • On the supply side, ensuring access to vaccination services is imperative, particularly in underserved populations.
  • And to improve demand among the community, awareness must be improved. Vaccine hesitancy, fuelled by myths and misinformation, poses a significant barrier to the acceptance of HPV vaccines across different regions.
  • Cultural and societal norms are also a factor, highlighting the importance of tailoring messages to resonate with diverse communities.
  • Utilising diverse channels such as social media and community workshops can amplify reach.
  • Including HPV information in health education in schools can be a step to generate demand among adolescents.
  • Collaborations between government agencies, community partners, health-care providers, and civil society organisations will be instrumental in building trust and ensuring the success of HPV vaccination programmes.
  • We can build upon our experiences of the successful nationwide rollout of COVID-19 vaccines amidst a landscape of pervasive digital and mass misinformation.
  • Moreover, public-private partnerships are instrumental in ensuring equitable access to vaccination services, thereby advancing the collective goal of safeguarding women’s health against cervical cancer.
Source- The Hindu

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