Less than one percent of respondents in a survey of 160 girl students in Assam had taken the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. Over 60 percent of respondents stated that they had not had the opportunity to get the HPV vaccine, and 14.9 percent were unaware of the preventive altogether, while the majority couldn’t take it because of its high cost.
Pratishruti Cancer & Palliative Trust, Dibrugarh, Assam, with the Indian Medical Association (IMA) and the Federation of Obstetrics and Gynaecological Society of India (FOGSI), conducted the survey on HPV vaccination awareness and willingness among 160 students in Upper Assam.
The survey was to assess awareness, hesitancy, and willingness toward HPV vaccination among students and availability, according to a statement. The study aimed to highlight the need for proactive vaccination initiatives to prevent HPV-related diseases, including cervical cancer.
“HPV vaccination for our girls is going to be a game changer, and deaths from cervical cancer will be reduced by 90 percent,” said Dr. Gayatri Gogoi, Associate Professor, Assam Medical College Hospital (AMCH) Coordinator, Dibrugarh district.
“Pratishruti with IMA and FOGSI will continue the mission in Assam so that each and every eligible girl gets the benefit of the new vaccine. Hopefully, this cost will gradually go down and the government will ensure free vaccination soon,” Gogoi told ScienceMatters.
The key findings of the survey, which gathered responses from various participants, are:
Awareness and Uptake: Less than 1 percent of respondents had taken the HPV vaccine, with 60.1 percent stating they had not had the opportunity to do so, and 14.9 percent unaware of the vaccine altogether, and the majority couldn’t take it because of its high cost.
Concerns and Barriers: 10.7 percent cited cost as a major barrier, while a smaller percentage expressed concerns about side effects or uncertainty about its necessity.
Interest in Subsidized Vaccination: Encouragingly, 88.1 percent of unvaccinated respondents showed interest in receiving the HPV vaccine if available at a subsidized rate.
Policy Support: The majority of respondents expressed strong support for including the HPV vaccine in routine immunization programs.
These findings emphasize the urgent need for greater awareness campaigns, accessibility initiatives, and government-supported vaccination drives to ensure widespread protection against HPV-related diseases. All 3 organizations urge healthcare authorities to prioritize HPV vaccination programs, enhance affordability, and educate the public on its benefits.
With the high level of interest in subsidized vaccination, targeted initiatives can significantly improve vaccination rates and contribute to the prevention of cervical and other HPV-related cancers, the statement said.
To facilitate HPV vaccination among beneficiaries, Pratishruti joined hands with IMA and FOGSI for a vaccination drive in Dibrugarh District. The first 100 girls received vaccination on March 6 at Dibrugarh IMA house.
“As Cervavac vaccine is available after the Serum Institute of India (SII) has started producing the vaccine at a much lower cost, giving a significant cost-effectiveness than ever before and allowing easy affordability,” Gogoi added.