PM Modi launches nationwide cervical cancer vaccination programme, Merck's Gardasil to be early gainer
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi has launched the nationwide Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccination Programme from Ajmer, Rajasthan today.
The government intends to administer preventive cervical cancer vaccine to approximately 1.15 crore girls aged 14 years every year across all States and Union Territories.
India’s national programme will use Gardasil, a quadrivalent HPV vaccine that protects against HPV types 16 and 18 (which cause cervical cancer), as well as types 6 and 11. Gardasil is manufactured by US pharmaceutical major Merck. Incidentally, the Indian announcement comes at a time when Merck is reportedly facing a slump in its Gardasil sales due to a sharp decline in demand from its biggest market, China.
Govt to provide vaccine free of cost
India will provide the vaccine free of cost at designated Government health facilities and the vaccination will be conducted at Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (Primary Health Centres), Community Health Centres, Sub-District and District Hospitals as well as Government Medical Colleges and Hospitals.
According to a statement from the Health Ministry, with this launch, India will join over 160 countries that have introduced HPV vaccination into their immunization schedules. More than 90 countries are implementing single-dose HPV vaccination schedules, improving coverage, affordability, and programme efficiency.
Several countries have already reported substantial reductions in HPV infection rates, precancerous lesions, and cervical cancer incidence following widespread vaccination, the ministry stated.
The Central government has secured HPV vaccine supplies through a transparent and globally supported procurement mechanism in partnership with GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance. The vaccines used in the national programme are approved by India’s drug regulator and meet stringent quality and cold-chain standards, the ministry said.
Adequate vaccine doses, commensurate with the target cohort of each State and UT, have already been supplied and States/UTs have been trained for seamless rollout and last-mile distribution.
During the launch event in Ajmer, all States and Union Territories will join virtually in coordination with their respective NIC units. Hon’ble Chief Ministers, Administrators, State Health Ministers, and senior health officials will participate from their State/UT headquarters. Following the national launch, States/UTs will proceed with their own HPV vaccination launch events later today.
Serum Institute of India (SII) is the Indian company that has launched Cervavac, an indigenously developed Quadrivalent Human Papillomavirus (Serotypes 6, 11, 16 and 18) Vaccine in the domestic market.
In a social media post, Adar Poonawalla, CEO, SII said "it’s heartening to see the Government of India roll out the HPV vaccine to help prevent cervical cancer in young girls and women". Stating that HPV vaccines have a strong safety and efficacy record globally, he said SII will also be making a made-in-India HPV vaccine very soon this year for the Universal Immunization Programme.
Hyderabad based Bharat Biotech and Ahmedabad based Zydus Lifesciences are among the other domestic vaccine makers known to be working on the development of HPV vaccine in the country.