GUWAHATI: Despite rising cervical cancer cases in India, the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine remains absent from the Universal Immunization Program (UIP), even after Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's promise last year and recommended by the Advisory Group on Immunisation in 2022.
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According to data from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the number of cervical cancer cases has steadily risen over the past five years—from 73,289 cases in 2019 to 81,121 in 2023. Assam has mirrored this alarming trend, with cases rising from 1,754 in 2019 to 1,952 in 2023.
In response to a query raised by MP Pradyut Bordoloi, Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Pratap Rao Jadhav confirmed in Parliament that while the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (NTAGI) had recommended the inclusion of the HPV vaccine in the UIP back in June 2022, the government has yet to implement it.
“The Universal Immunization Program (UIP) currently covers 11 vaccines against 12 preventable diseases. However, the HPV vaccine is not included,” the minister stated, offering no clear timeline for its introduction.
Cervical cancer, primarily caused by HPV types 16 and 18, is one of the most common cancers among Indian women. Experts argue that an early vaccination drive, especially for adolescent girls, could significantly reduce its burden. However, the absence of a structured immunization program leaves millions vulnerable.
