V.M. Katoch, former Director General of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and ex-Health Research Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, hailed the nationwide rollout of the HPV vaccination in India as a historic step in the country’s public health journey. He described the inclusion of the HPV vaccine in the national immunisation programme as a transformative and visionary move aimed at reducing cervical cancer, one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among women in India.
Katoch highlighted that HPV infection is a primary cause of cervical cancer, which continues to claim the lives of women, particularly in their young and middle years. “Cervical cancer is preventable, and vaccination is one of the most effective tools we have,” he said.
HPV Vaccination Reduces Cervical Cancer Worldwide
The expert noted that the HPV vaccine has been globally recognized for its safety and effectiveness, with over 160 countries already including it in their national immunisation schedules. Its widespread use has been shown to significantly reduce HPV infections and the incidence of cervical cancer worldwide.
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Although India approved the HPV vaccine nearly two decades ago, access remained largely restricted to private healthcare facilities, leaving many girls from economically weaker sections unprotected. “With the inclusion of the HPV vaccine in the national immunisation programme, it will now reach those most vulnerable and unable to afford it,” Katoch said.
He further emphasized that broad immunisation will not only protect young girls before exposure to HPV but also help reduce virus transmission within communities. Katoch expressed confidence that sustained implementation of the programme could eventually eliminate cervical cancer as a major public health threat in India, marking a landmark achievement in the fight against preventable diseases.