India's HPV Vaccine Program Stalls: Two Years After Budget Promise, No Implementation Progress Revealed in RTI

Almost two years following Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's Budget 2024 announcement regarding cervical cancer protection for young girls, an RTI reply has revealed the government's promise remains largely unimplemented.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare's RTI response shows no tangible steps have been taken to execute the HPV vaccination program that was announced with significant emphasis in Parliament.

Social activist Chandrashekhar Gaur from Madhya Pradesh's Neemuch filed the RTI, which exposes the substantial gap between public commitments and actual implementation. The ministry's response dated October 23 acknowledges that no file movements, meetings, memoranda, or implementation documents exist for the scheme. Additionally, there are no agreements with vaccine manufacturers, no allocated budget, and no recorded expenditures.

According to the ministry's written response, "Under the Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP), vaccines are currently administered against 12 Vaccine Preventable Diseases (VPDs). The HPV vaccine is not yet part of this programme. However, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has begun capacity-building exercises for medical and paramedical staff in preparation for the cervical cancer vaccination initiative."

The HPV vaccine has yet to be incorporated into the Universal Immunization Programme, with no formal rollout initiated.

RTI activist Chandrashekhar Gaur questioned, "Did the government make this announcement in the pre-election Budget without any preparation?" He further expressed, "This failure is extremely disappointing and disturbing. It reflects the government's weak commitment to its own budgetary promise. With hundreds of new cervical cancer cases emerging daily and nearly 200 deaths every day, how long will the country have to wait for action?"

According to World Health Organisation estimates, India accounts for approximately 23 percent of global cervical cancer deaths. When the Finance Minister announced in February last year that girls aged 9 to 11 would be "encouraged" to receive vaccination against cervical cancer, the statement received widespread acclaim across political and public health sectors. It was regarded as a significant advancement in women's preventive healthcare, potentially saving thousands of lives annually.

Public health experts have voiced their concerns. Amulya Nidhi, National Convenor of Jan Swasthya Abhiyan, stated, "Despite the government's announcement last year, the HPV vaccine has not yet been included in the UIP. This vaccine has proven potential to prevent cervical cancer, a disease that takes thousands of women's lives every year. The NTAGI had already recommended its inclusion in 2022. The delay is costing lives."

He emphasized that India's indigenous Cervavac vaccine has already met regulatory standards and urged the government to proceed responsibly, ensuring transparency, safety, and equitable access. "Every year of inaction denies millions of girls access to this life-saving protection," Nidhi remarked. "It's time for the government to walk the talk if it truly aims to eliminate cervical cancer by 2030."

The HPV vaccine's introduction in India has faced obstacles previously. A 2009 demonstration project conducted in Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat with international partners was halted following allegations of ethical violations and insufficient consent procedures.

While the Health Ministry has reportedly initiated preliminary "capacity-building" exercises for medical and paramedical staff, no specific timeline or implementation plan has been announced.