HPV Rollout a Landmark Step: Ex-ICMR Chief

V.M. Katoch, former Director General of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and former Health Research Secretary at the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, on Thursday hailed the nationwide introduction of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine as a significant milestone in India’s public health landscape.

Describing the move as both visionary and transformative, Katoch said incorporating the vaccine into the national immunisation programme would greatly enhance the country’s fight against cervical cancer — one of the primary causes of cancer-related deaths among women in India. He pointed out that HPV infection is a leading contributor to cervical cancer, which continues to take a heavy toll on women, particularly in their younger and middle years.

Health experts believe that the nationwide rollout of the HPV vaccine marks a critical shift from treatment to prevention in India’s cancer control strategy. By targeting adolescent girls before exposure to the virus, the programme aims to significantly reduce future cases of cervical cancer and related complications.

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HPV Vaccine to Boost Cervical Cancer Fight

“Cervical cancer is preventable, and vaccination remains one of the most powerful preventive measures available,” he said. Katoch added that the HPV vaccine has been widely validated across the globe for its high effectiveness in preventing HPV infections and substantially lowering cervical cancer rates. He also noted that over 160 countries have already integrated the HPV vaccine into their national immunisation programmes, underscoring its safety, efficacy and value in public health protection.

Public health officials emphasised that early vaccination, combined with regular screening and awareness campaigns, can drastically cut mortality rates. They also highlighted the importance of community outreach to address vaccine hesitancy and misinformation, ensuring wider acceptance across urban and rural regions.

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