With low HPV vaccine cover, India may miss targets, Pg20

Key Highlights:

• A study in The Lancet indicates high-income countries could eliminate cervical cancer by 2048, but low- and middle-income countries, including India, face high risks without expanded vaccination and screening efforts.
• Achieving WHO's 90-70-90 targets (90% girls vaccinated, 70% women screened, 90% pre-cancer and cancer cases treated) could avert 37 million cervical cancer cases globally over the next century.
• India could avert over 10 million cervical cancer cases by reaching these targets, potentially achieving elimination by 2085 with 90% vaccination coverage of girls.
• As of April 10, only 10.63% of the 1.15 crore eligible girls in India have received HPV vaccination, according to the U-WIN portal.

Detailed Insights:

• Current efforts in India show low HPV vaccination coverage and less than 2% cervical cancer screening coverage among women.
• Low vaccination rates are attributed to factors like the timing of the vaccination launch coinciding with school exams and breaks, insufficient public awareness, and negative social media campaigns.
• India accounts for a fifth of all cervical cancer cases globally and is the second most common cancer among women in the country, reporting over 1.2 lakh cases and 80,000 deaths annually.
• Recent advancements like lower-cost vaccines, single-dose vaccines, expanded screening programs, and multi-age cohort vaccinations can aid in global cervical cancer elimination.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Cervical Cancer: A type of cancer that occurs in the cells of the cervix, the lower part of the uterus that connects to the vagina.
• HPV (Human Papillomavirus): A group of related viruses, some of which can cause cervical cancer.
• U-WIN Portal: India's central digital platform to monitor and manage vaccination programs.