The Health Ministry on Saturday said that the Central Government is yet to take a decision on the roll out of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination. The Ministry stated that it is closely monitoring the incidences of cervical cancer cases in the country and is in regular touch with states and various health departments regarding this.

Refuting media reports claiming that the HPV Vaccination Campaign will be rolled out for girls in the 9-14 years age group in the second quarter of year 2024, the Ministry said that such reports are false and speculative.

India accounts for about a quarter of all cervical cancer incidences and nearly a third of global cervical cancer deaths. Indian women face a 1.6 per cent lifetime cumulative risk of developing cervical cancer and 1 per cent cumulative death risk from cervical cancer. According to some estimates, every year almost 80,000 women in India develop cervical cancer and 35,000 die due to it.

Studies done in India have indicated that efficacy of a single dose of the HPV vaccine is more than 95 per cent. WHO has now recommended that even a single dose of the vaccine for 9 to 14-year-olds is effective. As of 2021, the global HPV immunisation coverage stood at a meagre 13 per cent.

The Serum Institute’s made-in-India vaccine against cervical cancer, CERVAVAC, was launched in January 2023. The vaccine is available at Rs 2000 for two doses, which is still more affordable compared to the imported vaccines.