Dimapur, February 27 (MExN): The Dimapur District Task Force on Immunization (DTFI) reviewed the global and national scenario of cervical cancer and the importance of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination at a meeting held at the DC Conference Hall, Dimapur, on February 27 ahead of the district-wide campaign.
Chairing the meeting, Deputy Commissioner Dimapur, Dr. Tinojongshi Chang, NCS, called upon departments and partners to disseminate information to ensure maximum coverage of eligible beneficiaries.
R. Khartu Monsang, Regional Project Officer, United Nations Development Programme, presented data on the global status of HPV vaccine introduction. Citing World Health Organization data, he said 155 of 194 countries have included the HPV vaccine in their national immunisation programmes. In the South-East Asia Region, nine of eleven countries have introduced the vaccine.
Referring to Globocan 2022, he said cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer among women globally, with an estimated 6,62,300 new cases and 3,48,874 deaths in 2022. The global age-standardised incidence rate is 14.1 per 1,00,000 women per year and mortality rate is 7.1 per 1,00,000 women per year. It was stated that without effective prevention and control measures, new cases could rise significantly by 2030.
Officials explained that cervical cancer affects the lower end of the uterus (cervix) and that nearly 99.7 per cent of cases are caused by persistent infection with high-risk types of HPV. While HPV infection is common and often asymptomatic, persistent infection can lead to cervical cancer.
The meeting discussed the World Health Organization’s strategy to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health problem by 2030, which aims to achieve 90-70-90 targets — 90 per cent of girls fully vaccinated by age 15, 70 per cent of women screened with a high-performance test and 90 per cent of women identified with cervical disease receiving treatment.
Highlighting the Indian scenario as per NCRP-ICMR 2022, it was stated that cervical cancer is the second leading cancer among women in India, with an age-standardised incidence rate of 11.6 per 1,00,000 women per year and mortality rate of 5.1 per 1,00,000 women per year. In 2022, India recorded an estimated 79,103 new cases and 34,805 deaths.
Dr. Rongsennungla, District Programme Officer (UIP & RCH), CMO Office Dimapur, informed that the district campaign will target girls aged 14 years (those who have completed 14 years but not yet turned 15) and will be implemented for three months at designated Cold Chain Points.
She said the vaccine to be administered is Gardasil (quadrivalent), covering serotypes 6, 11, 16 and 18. The 0.5 mL dose will be administered intramuscularly in the left upper arm and stored at +2°C to +8°C under strict cold chain management.
Vaccination will be conducted at health facilities equipped with Cold Chain Points and internet connectivity for U-WIN portal registration. Teams will comprise vaccinators, mobilisers, verifiers and other health staff.
The nationwide HPV vaccination campaign for all girls aged 14 years will be launched on February 28, 2026, with the Prime Minister scheduled to virtually launch the programme from Ajmer, Rajasthan. The Dimapur district campaign will commence from March 2 at identified health facilities.
