HPV Vaccine: Why Men Must Be Included in India's Prevention Strategy

Conversations surrounding the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine in India predominantly focus on women, particularly regarding cervical cancer prevention. However, a critical aspect often overlooked is the importance of HPV vaccination for men. The Hindu's article accurately highlights this gap, emphasizing that men are not just carriers of the virus but are also vulnerable to a range of HPV-related cancers, including anal, penile, and oropharyngeal (mouth and throat) cancers. This oversight has significant implications for public health in India, necessitating a more inclusive approach to vaccination. HPV is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections globally, and persistent infection with high-risk HPV types can lead to various cancers in both sexes. While cervical cancer remains the most common HPV-related malignancy in women, almost 90% of anal cancers and a significant percentage of penile and oropharyngeal cancers in men are also attributable to HPV, primarily types 16 and 18. India bears a substantial burden of HPV-related diseases, with approximately 132,000 new cervical cancer cases diagnosed annually and around 74,000 to 80,000 deaths each year, accounting for nearly a quarter of global cervical cancer fatalities. The Indian Academy of Paediatrics (IAP) recommends HPV vaccination for both boys and girls. In India, vaccines like Gardasil 9 and the indigenous Cervavac are approved for use in males. The recommended age for boys is typically 9-14 years for a two-dose schedule and 15-26 years for a three-dose schedule, with discussions for catch-up vaccination up to 45 years in certain cases. Vaccinating men not only protects them directly from these cancers and genital warts but also contributes to herd immunity, reducing HPV transmission to their sexual partners, thereby indirectly protecting women from cervical cancer. Despite the clear scientific rationale, the implementation of HPV vaccination for males in India faces several hurdles. Public awareness about HPV's impact on men and the vaccine's benefits for them is remarkably low. Studies indicate a general lack of knowledge regarding HPV vaccination among the Indian population. This limited awareness is compounded by misinformation and cultural concerns, such as the misconception that the vaccine encourages sexual activity, which has been largely debunked by global studies. Cost is another significant barrier. While the Indian government has initiated free vaccination drives for adolescent girls, the HPV vaccine can be expensive in the private market, with imported options like Gardasil costing between ₹2,000 and ₹11,000 per dose, and even the domestically produced Cervavac priced around ₹2,000 per dose. Such costs make it inaccessible for a large segment of the population, especially for broader gender-neutral vaccination efforts outside of government programs. Recent vaccination efforts in India highlight these challenges. In March 2026, both the Delhi government and the central government launched significant HPV vaccination drives. Delhi's campaign, targeting 160,000 14-year-old girls over three months, saw a disappointingly low turnout of only 285 jabs in its first 10 days. Officials attributed this to ongoing school examinations, low awareness, and the spread of anti-vaccine misinformation. Similarly, a nationwide campaign launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in March 2026 aims to vaccinate approximately 1.15 crore 14-year-old girls annually free of cost. While these initiatives are crucial steps towards preventing cervical cancer in women, they underscore the current female-centric focus and the need to expand the dialogue to include men. Experts and health organizations advocate for the inclusion of HPV vaccination for boys in the national immunization schedule. They argue that a gender-neutral vaccination strategy would accelerate the elimination of HPV infection through robust herd immunity, create a more resilient program, and remove the stigma associated with a girls-only vaccine. Furthermore, integrating the vaccine into public health programs would ensure equitable access and significantly reduce the overall burden of HPV-related cancers in India. In conclusion, The Hindu's article accurately identifies a critical missing piece in India's HPV vaccine discourse: the role of men. Addressing this gap requires comprehensive public awareness campaigns, more accessible and affordable vaccination options for both sexes, and a shift towards a gender-neutral vaccination strategy to effectively combat HPV-related diseases across the entire population.

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