The human papillomavirus, or HPV, vaccine is cutting cases of cervical cancer right across the socio-economic spectrum, with most cases being prevented in more deprived groups, according to a major study funded by Cancer Research UK. 

Until now, there had been concerns that the HPV vaccine could have an unequal impact across society. After carrying out the longest follow-up on the effectiveness of the HPV vaccine, researchers at the Queen Mary University of London concluded the HPV vaccination programme in England is helping to close some inequalities in cervical cancer. The results were published in the journal BMJ.

Due to a typically higher incidence of cervical cancer in more deprived groups, researchers found that more cases were prevented in the most deprived group (around 190), compared to the least deprived group (around 60) in a study that included approximately 6,50,000 people offered vaccination aged 12-18 years in each of the five deprivation groups.  The study reflected the huge success of the school-based vaccination programme, showing that well-executed public health interventions can help to reduce health inequalities. 

The study adds even more weight to evidence that HPV vaccination works. Researchers found that over a 12-year period, the vaccine reduced cervical cancer incidence rates by nearly 90% and pre-cancerous conditions by around 95% in women who were offered routine vaccination at 12-13 years old in England. The study shows that the vaccine is much more effective when taken up by children aged eight years (12-13 years) than later in life. 

Although the life-saving HPV vaccine currently reaches people from all backgrounds, Cancer Research UK warns that some inequalities remain in cervical cancer incidence, and more work is needed to improve the health of the most deprived groups. Overall, cervical cancer rates are higher in people from deprived backgrounds across the U.K. Researchers said this is partly due to people being at greater risk from HPV and barriers that can drive lower screening attendance. 

Cancer Research U.K. scientists helped to prove the link between HPV and cervical cancer 25 years ago. Cervical cancer rates in the U.K. have fallen by almost a third since the early 1990s. The HPV vaccination programme was first introduced to England in 2008. 

Pune:

Serum Institute of India aims to significantly boost supply of its human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine as it gears up to provide its shots to the government at cheaper rates for an immunisation campaign this year against the cancer-causing virus.

Adar Poonawalla, the CEO of the world’s biggest vaccine maker by the number of doses, told Reuters that he expects the vaccine to be a part of the government’s programme by year-end.

The vaccine, currently available in the private market for 2,000 rupees, is India’s first indigenous shot against HPV that plays a role in causing most cervical cancers in the world.

“Our capacity at the moment is just a few million doses but the demand is infinite. If we were to roll out 50 million doses in India, they would be used up, both in the private market and the government procurement scheme,” said Poonawalla.

The government is set to administer the HPV vaccine to girls aged between nine and 14 years as part of a campaign to fight cervical cancer, the second-most common type of cancer in women in India.

There is no contract yet with the government, MrPoonawalla said, adding that he expects the authorities to initially procure between 40 to 50 million doses through a tender process in December.

Other HPV vaccine makers include Merck & Co and GSK Plc, who could also bid for government contracts.

“It’s still a bit early to say but we’re just poised and very committed to this product,” he said.

Poonawalla expects the vaccine to be “substantially, probably eight times, cheaper” when supplied to the government.

Serum produces AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine under the brand name Covishield.

The company’s HPV facilities, which were used during the pandemic to manufacture Covishield are still not entirely operational, restraining full capacity, according to Serum.

The company is in the process of applying for WHO’s pre-qualification and Mr Poonawalla expects to begin exporting the HPV shots to other countries in 2026.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)