Nationwide HPV Vaccination Rollout A Landmark Step In Public Health, Says Former ICMR Director General

V.M. Katoch, former Director General (DG) of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and former Health Research Secretary from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, on Thursday, described the nationwide rollout of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination as a landmark moment in India’s public health journey. Calling it a visionary and transformative step, Katoch said the inclusion of the HPV vaccine in the national immunisation programme would significantly strengthen efforts to combat cervical cancer — one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among women in India.

He noted that HPV infection is a major cause of cervical cancer, a disease that continues to claim the lives of a large number of women, especially in their young and middle years.

“Cervical cancer is preventable, and vaccination is one of the most effective tools available to us,” he said.

Katoch noted that the HPV vaccine has been globally proven to be highly effective in preventing HPV infection and in significantly reducing the incidence of cervical cancer.

More than 160 countries have already adopted HPV vaccination as part of their national immunisation programmes, demonstrating its safety, effectiveness, and public health value.

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What Is the HPV Vaccine and Why It Matters

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a group of more than 100 viruses, with certain high-risk types — particularly HPV 16 and 18 — responsible for the vast majority of cervical cancer cases worldwide. The virus is also linked to other cancers, including vulvar, vaginal, anal, penile, and some head and neck cancers. Vaccination against HPV significantly reduces the risk of infection, and when administered before exposure to the virus (typically before the onset of sexual activity), it can prevent 70–90% of cervical cancers.

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Cervical cancer continues to pose a heavy health burden in India. Annually, the country sees tens of thousands of new cases, with cervical cancer remaining the second most common cancer among women and a leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Free vaccination at a national level aims to tackle this disease at its root cause, preventing HPV infection before it can lead to cancer development.