Oncology

Decoding the Cervical Cancer Vaccine Cost in Noida

admin Jul 31, 2024

Cervical cancer is an important public-health problem in India, resulting in thousands of women dying annually from the disease. Screening and vaccination are two effective ways to prevent this cancer, yet the implementation remains low, particularly in the less-developed regions of the country. Noida is developing among the cities of India regarding healthcare facilities. Therefore, from the view of awareness to the cost implications associated with cervical cancer, holistic health management is of essence to the residents of Noida in making right health choices. In this blog, let's decode the cervical cancer vaccine importance and its cost in Noida.

Prevalence of Cervical cancer:

Among women, the cancer of the cervix remains the most common cancer worldwide, and the highest incidence and mortality rate has been recorded in low and middle-income countries. Indian data suggests two third of cervical cancer cases annually and about 70% present with late-stage disease. This disparity is primarily due to limited resources for national HPV vaccination programs, cervical screening and treatment services and poor health infrastructure.

Importance of Vaccination:

Human papilloma virus (HPV) infection is the primary cause of cervical cancer. Persistent infection with high-risk HPV can lead to the growth of abnormal cells, which may progress to cancer. Conversely, chronic HPV infection of the cervix, which is the lower part of the uterus opening into the vagina, results in 95% of cervical cancers. This goes to prove just how necessary HPV vaccination is as a preventive measure against cervical cancer.

Background of Vaccination Development:

In 2006, two vaccines were approved by the USFDA (United States Food and Drug Administration) for use in the prevention of HPV 16 and 18 associated cervical cancer. The safety, immunogenicity, efficacy, and immunologic memory of these vaccines have been tested and validated in many large and well-conducted clinical trials. Since then, there has been widespread optimism about the development of vaccines against HPV that would significantly reduce the incidence of cervical cancer.

India’s initiative for cervical cancer vaccination:

In India, the vaccine is not part of the national immunization program. Hence, the high cost of HPV vaccine was the significant barrier to avail it. To address such challenges, India took the initiative with the all-out national vaccination drive to prevent cervical cancer in women. The main aim of this national campaign is to vaccinate girls aged 9-14 years against human papillomavirus (HPV). Though the rate of cervical cancer in India is declining, the government is committed to completely eradicate cervical cancer in upcoming years.

Vaccine availability:

Presently, there are three types of cervical vaccinations licensed in India.

Gardasil: A quadrivalent vaccine that is produced by using recombinant DNA technology that creates a non-infectious virus like particles composed of HPV L1 protein.

Benefits

Protects against HPV types 6, 11, 16, and 18.
Efficacy against cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grades 2 and 3 (CIN-2/3) and adenocarcinoma in situ (AIS) caused by the included HPV strains.

Vaccination Schedule:

Recommended age for initiation: 9–12 years.
Catch-up vaccination is allowed up to age 26.
Administered in three doses at 0, 2, and 6-month intervals.
Minimum intervals: There are 4 weeks between the first and second doses, 12 weeks between the second and third dose, and 24 weeks between the first and third doses.
Other information: It does not protect against HPV strains, whose infection has already occurred before vaccination. It can be given simultaneously with other vaccines like Hepatitis B and Tdap.

Cervarix: A bivalent vaccine produced using recombinant DNA technology that generates non-infectious VLPs containing the HPV L1 protein.

Benefits

Protects against HPV types 16 and 18.
Efficacy against CIN-2/3 and AIS caused by the HPV strains included in the vaccine.

Vaccination Schedule:

Recommended age for initiation: 9–12 years.
Catch-up vaccination is allowed up to age 26.
Administered in three doses with 0, 1, and 6-month intervals.
Minimum intervals: There are four weeks between the first and second doses, twelve between the second and third doses, and twenty-four weeks separating the first and third doses.
Other Information: It does not protect against HPV strains with which infection has already occurred before vaccination. It can be administered simultaneously with Hepatitis B and Tdap vaccines.

Cervavac: A quadrivalent vaccine introduced in September 2022, is indicated for the prevention of cervical, vaginal, anal and vulvar cancer caused by HPV types 18 and 16 in young girls and women aged 9-26 years.

These vaccines are a critical part of the preventive strategy against cervical cancer in India, providing substantial protection and contributing to public health efforts. However, the affordability of vaccines is one of the critical factors in the long-term success of cervical cancer control efforts in regions like Noida.

Cost of vaccination in Noida:

The cost of an HPV vaccination will vary depending on the type of vaccine used, the brand, the manufacturer, relevant taxes, and the provider of the vaccination service. The cost of an average single dose with the HPV vaccine falls within a range of Rs. 2000 to Rs. 11000. Consult your healthcare physician or a healthcare center in Noida to have the immunization in a familiar atmosphere that will minimize any possible anxiety or discomfort. This preventive measure helps you decide for and get the HPV vaccination.