Context

• The government has announced that it will roll out vaccines for the prevention of cervical cancer to girls aged between 9 and 14 years through schools.
• The National Technical Advisory Group for Immunisation (NTAGI) had recommended the introduction of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine in the Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP).

Universal Immunisation Programme

• The Universal Immunisation Programme is one of the largest public health programmes which offers free vaccines for at least 12 diseases.
• It has successfully eradicated diseases like polio and maternal and neonatal tetanus.

What is Cervical cancer

• Cervical cancer is cancer that starts in the cells of the cervix.
• The cervix is the lower, narrow end of the uterus.
• The cervix connects the uterus to the vagina.
• Before cancer appears in the cervix, the cells of the cervix go through changes known as dysplasia, in which abnormal cells begin to appear in the cervical tissue. 
• Over time, if not destroyed or removed, the abnormal cells may become cancer cells and start to grow and spread more deeply into the cervix and to surrounding areas.

HPV Vaccine

• The indigenous HPV vaccine, called CERVAVAC, is likely to be rolled out by mid-2023.
• The vaccine has got the approval of the Drugs Controller General of India and was cleared by the government advisory panel, NTAGI, for use in the UIP programme.
• A one-time catch-up vaccine will be given to 9-14 year old adolescent girls, before it is introduced at nine years.
• The government has clarified that girls who do not attend schools will be given the vaccines by community outreach and mobile health teams.
• The Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness centres, announced in 2018, are already screening for common cancers like oral, breast and cervical

Importance of HPV Vaccine

• Cervical cancer is preventable and curable if it is detected early and managed effectively.
• It is the second most common cancer in women in India, and the cause of a large number of deaths annually.
• It is caused by infection with the human papillomavirus, and there are vaccines to protect against cancerous HPV.

Extent of Cervical Cancer in India

• A recent study in The Lancet shows that India accounts for the highest number of cervical cancer cases in Asia, followed by China.
• More than 58% of all cases of cervical cancer and deaths globally were estimated in Asia with India accounting for 21% of cases and 23% of deaths.
• The global incidence rate is 13.3 new cases per 1,00,000 women a year. In India, the incidence rate is 18 per 1,00,000 women.

WHO target on cervical cancer

• The WHO has specified that countries must reach and maintain an incidence rate of fewer than 4 new cases per 1,00,000 women a year by 2030. 
• The WHO’s strategy targets for cervical cancer elimination by 2030 include screening of 70% women with a high performance test by 35 years of age and again by 45 years of age.
• It has also set a cervical cancer treatment target of 90% of women identified with the disease.

Challenges

• According to The Lancet study, the burden of cervical cancer remains high in Asia and Africa, and that in many countries, the incidence and mortality of the disease remain much higher than the threshold set by the WHO initiative on cervical cancer elimination.
• The study identified substantial geographical and socioeconomic inequalities in cervical cancer globally, with a clear gradient of increasing rates for countries with lower levels of human development. 

Related Information

The National Technical Advisory Group for Immunisation (NTAGI)

• The National Technical Advisory Group for Immunisation is the highest advisory body on Immunisation in the country
• It is the name of National Immunization Technical Advisory Group (NITAG) of India.
• National Immunization Technical Advisory Group (NITAG) is an advisory committee responsible for providing information to national governments that is used to make evidence-based decisions regarding vaccine and immunisation policy.
• It may advise on vaccination schedules regarding appropriate timing, dosage, and contraindications of vaccines.
• To ensure that the government gives proper attention to NITAG recommendations.
• NITAG usually reports to high level officials of the Ministry of Health.
• In 2011, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended that NITAG be established in each member country.
• As of 2021, there are 172 countries reporting the existence of NITAG and 121 countries with NITAG with all six WHO functionality criteria.

Reference:

https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/health/how-is-india-trying-to-beat-cervical-cancer/article66311737.ece