**Summary:**
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) is considering the inclusion of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine in the Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) to address the high incidence and mortality rates associated with cervical cancer in India. The National Technical Advisory Group for Immunization (NTAGI) recommended the inclusion of the HPV vaccine in the UIP in June 2022, based on an evaluation of disease burden, the effectiveness of a single dose of the vaccine, and clinical trial results. Currently, the MoHFW has initiated capacity building exercises for medical and paramedical staff in preparation for the vaccine's introduction. The government has introduced the HPV vaccine in select states, including Punjab, Sikkim, and Tamil Nadu, on a pilot basis. There are ongoing considerations to provide financial support to scale these efforts nationwide, as the interim budget of February 2024 acknowledged the importance of cervical cancer prevention in the country.
Key Entities Referenced
Cervical Cancer: A type of cancer affecting the cervix, for which the policy discusses prevention and vaccination strategies.
HPV vaccine: Human Papillomavirus vaccine, intended to prevent cervical cancer, and its potential inclusion in the national immunization programme.
National Immunisation Programme: A nationwide health initiative by the Government of India for providing vaccines to children and pregnant women.
National Technical Advisory Group for Immunisation (NTAGI): An advisory body that recommended the inclusion of the HPV vaccine in the Universal Immunization Programme.
Punjab: A state in India where the HPV vaccine has been introduced on a pilot basis.
Sikkim: A state in India where the HPV vaccine has been introduced on a pilot basis.
Tamil Nadu: A state in India where the HPV vaccine has been introduced on a pilot basis.
Universal Immunization Programme (UIP): A government-sponsored immunization program in India.
GOVERNMENTOFINDIA
MINISTRYOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE
DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARREDQUESTION NO. 1080
TOBE ANSWERED ON25TH JULY2025
CERVICALCANCER
1080. DR. D RAVIKUMAR
Willthe Ministerof HEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE be pleased tostate:
(a) whether the Government is planning to ensure sufficient funding for the inclusion of
the HPV vaccine in the national immunisation programme in the upcoming budget in
light of the high incidence and mortality rates associated with cervical cancer in India
andif so, the detailsthereof;
(b) the details of the National Technical Advisory Group for Immunisation (NTAGI) has
already recommendedthe inclusion of the HPVvaccine;
(c) whether there has been a delay in allocating funds for its implementation at the
National levelandif so, the detailsthereof;
(d) whether the Government has introduced the HPV vaccine in the said immunisation
programmes across the States including Punjab, Sikkim, and Tamil Nadu (on a pilot
basis) andif so, the detailsthereof;
(e) whether the Government has any plans to provide financial support to scale these
efforts nationwide andif so, the detailsthereof; and
(f) whether the Government is considering that the interim budget of February 2024
acknowledged the importance of cervical cancer prevention, in the country and if so,
the details thereof along with the reasons for not allocating funds for the HPV vaccine
last year?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OFSTATE IN THE MINISTRYOFHEALTH AND FAMILY
WELFARE
(SMT.ANUPRIYAPATEL)
(a) to (f) - The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) has initiated the capacity
building exercise of medical and paramedical staff for the cervical cancer vaccine. In June
2022, the National Technical Advisory Group for Immunization (NTAGI) recommended the
introduction of cervical cancer vaccine in the Universal Immunization Programme (UIP)
based on evaluation of the fresh evidence on disease burden and effectiveness of single dose
of cervicalcancer vaccine,clinicaltrial results etc.
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