Cancelling Cancer: Serum Institute launches nationwide HPV awareness drive

Bengaluru: With cervical cancer continuing to claim the lives of thousands of Indian women each year, the Serum Institute of India (SII) has stepped forward with a bold nationwide awareness initiative — Conquer HPV & Cancer Conclave 2025”— kicked off in Bengaluru recently.

The campaign aims to spotlight the silent but deadly threat posed by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), and more importantly, the preventive power of vaccination.

India, according to the ICO/IARC Information Centre on HPV and Cancer (2023), records more than 1.23 lakh new cervical cancer cases and 77,000 deaths annually, with a staggering 511 million women at risk.

But the impact of HPV extends beyond the cervix: up to 90 percent of anal cancers, 63 percent of penile cancers, and a substantial share of vaginal, vulvar, and oropharyngeal cancers are linked to this highly common viral infection.

At the Bengaluru conclave, leading healthcare voices came together to champion the cause of awareness and action. Speaking on the panel were Dr. Shobha K. of KIDWAI Memorial Institute of Oncology), Dr. Rajini Uday of Sapthagiri Institute of Research Centre, Dr. Chidananda N. K. of Chiguru Child Care Centre and Dr. Prashanth M.V. under the moderation of Dr. Bhaskar Shenoy of Manipal Hospital.

A wake-up call for prevention

“HPV infection typically peaks between the ages of 15 and 25, making early awareness and timely preventive action non-negotiable,” said Dr. Shobha K. “It’s not just a women’s issue. Men are equally at risk for HPV-linked cancers and need to be protected.”

The expert panel emphasized a pressing need for school-based, parent-focused, and doctor-led conversations to improve understanding of HPV, its modes of transmission, and the critical importance of vaccination.

Cervavac: India’s homegrown shield against HPV

The conclave also spotlighted a significant milestone in Indian healthcare: the launch of Cervavac — India’s first indigenously developed, gender-neutral quadrivalent HPV vaccine. Developed by SII, Cervavac is now being offered at an affordable rate, making prevention against a range of HPV-linked cancers accessible to a much larger population.

Parag Deshmukh, Executive Director of Serum Institute of India, emphasized the public health vision behind the conclave.

“Through these discussions, we aim to demystify HPV and empower individuals to take proactive steps toward prevention. The vaccine is not just a scientific achievement — it’s a social one,” he added.

Breaking the silence around HPV

What stood out at the Bengaluru event was its interactive approach. Beyond lectures, an open dialogue with the audience made the science of HPV relatable and the preventive steps actionable.

This isn’t just a medical campaign — it’s a cultural one. Despite the availability of the vaccine, stigma, lack of knowledge, and absence of policy-backed school immunization drives have slowed uptake in India.

Experts called on state governments and schools to step up HPV vaccination as part of routine adolescent healthcare, just like measles or hepatitis.

A shot at a cancer-free future

The conclave sends a powerful message: cervical and other HPV-linked cancers are preventable. With public support, trusted information, and access to vaccines like Cervavac, India has a real chance at reducing — and eventually eliminating — these cancers.

As the campaign rolls out in cities nationwide, it seeks to create more such platforms where doctors, parents, teachers, and young people can come together to talk openly, act responsibly, and vaccinate early.