"India's National HPV Vaccination Campaign Crosses 80 Lakh Doses for Adolescent Girls"
Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
a sexually transmitted virus; high-risk strains 16 and 18 cause most cervical cancers
Virus-Like Particle (VLP)
a recombinant protein shell mimicking a virus, used as the HPV vaccine platform; non-infectious
Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women in India. India accounts for nearly one-fifth of all cervical cancer deaths globally. The primary cause is the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually transmitted infection. High-risk strains HPV 16 and HPV 18 together cause the majority of cervical cancers worldwide.
Vaccines against HPV work on a virus-like particle (VLP) platform. VLP vaccines use recombinant protein technology to produce hollow shells that mimic the outer coat of the virus. These shells trigger an immune response without containing any viral genetic material, making them non-infectious. This is a distinct platform from the inactivated-pathogen approach (used in COVAXIN, where the whole virus is killed and injected) and the vector-based approach (used in vaccines like Sputnik V, where a carrier virus delivers genetic instructions). Understanding these platform differences is important because each carries a different safety and manufacturing profile. All vaccines, regardless of platform, carry a small risk of Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFI). Robust AEFI surveillance is a standard component of India's Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP) and is not unique to HPV vaccination.
India's immunisation architecture is delivered through the UIP, one of the world's largest public health programmes. It operates through the National Health Mission (NHM) via a tiered network: sub-centres at the village level, Primary Health Centres (PHCs) at the block level, and Community Health Centres (CHCs) at the sub-district level. The National Health Policy 2017 marked a decisive shift toward preventive and promotive healthcare. India's indigenous HPV vaccine, Cervavac, was approved by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) and is the first domestically manufactured HPV vaccine, representing a significant step toward affordable immunisation at scale.
The National HPV Vaccination Campaign targets 14-year-old girls as the primary cohort. This age group is chosen because vaccination is most effective before potential exposure to HPV, which typically occurs after sexual debut. The campaign provides a single-dose schedule, free of cost, at government health facilities, with parental consent. According to Registrar General of India (RGI) 2021 estimates, approximately 1.2 crore girls constitute the annual cohort of 14-year-olds eligible for the vaccine each year.
The campaign leverages India's digital health infrastructure through the U-WIN platform. U-WIN enables programme managers to monitor vaccination coverage at the district level, identify coverage gaps, track missed beneficiaries, and support resource allocation. …
What is the importance of using Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine in India?
1.These vaccines are effective against pneumonia as well as meningitis and sepsis.
2.Dependence on antibiotics that are not effective against drug-resistant bacteria can be reduced.
3.These vaccines have no side effects and cause no allergic reactions.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
In the context of vaccines manufactured to prevent COVID-19 pandemic, consider the following statements:
1.The Serum Institute of India produced COVID-19 vaccine named Covishield using mRNA platform.
2.Sputnik V vaccine is manufactured using vector based platform.
3.COVAXIN is an inactivated pathogen based vaccine.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Consider the following statements about cervical cancer and HPV vaccination:
1.Cervical cancer is the most common cancer among women in India.
2.HPV strains 16 and 18 are responsible for the majority of cervical cancer cases globally.
3.India accounts for nearly one-fifth of global cervical cancer deaths.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
With reference to HPV vaccines and cervical cancer prevention, consider the following pairs:
Vaccine / Platform type
1.Cervavac — Virus-Like Particle (VLP) / recombinant subunit
2.Covishield — mRNA platform
3.COVAXIN — Inactivated pathogen
4.Sputnik V — Viral vector platform
How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?
Consider the following statements regarding India's National HPV Vaccination Campaign:
1.The campaign provides a single-dose HPV vaccine free of cost to 14-year-old girls at government health facilities.
2.The annual eligible cohort of 14-year-old girls in India is approximately 1.2 crore, as per RGI 2021 estimates.
3.The U-WIN platform is used to monitor vaccination coverage at the district level and identify missed beneficiaries.
4.India's indigenous HPV vaccine Cervavac was approved by the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) under the Ministry of Health.
How many of the above statements are correct?
Consider the following statements about India's Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP) and the HPV Vaccination Campaign:
1.The UIP is operationalised through the National Health Mission via sub-centres, PHCs, and CHCs.
2.The U-WIN platform enables real-time monitoring of vaccination coverage at the district level.
3.ASHAs and ANMs play a central role in community mobilisation and last-mile delivery under the campaign.
4.All vaccination sessions under the HPV campaign are conducted without the supervision of medical officers to ensure wider reach.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
With reference to the global adoption of HPV vaccines in national immunisation programmes, which of the following is correct as of recent data?
(A) More than 90% of upper-middle-income countries have adopted HPV vaccines nationally.
(B) 87% of upper-middle-income, 78% of lower-middle-income, and 54% of low-income countries have adopted HPV vaccines nationally.
(C) HPV vaccination has been adopted by all high-income countries but fewer than 50% of lower-middle-income countries.
(D) More than 800 million doses of HPV vaccines have been distributed globally, with adoption limited to high-income countries.
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