Building Stronger Foundations: CSR Scaffolding for Integrating HPV Vaccine into Primary Health Care

As we mark the 13th World Immunization Week, it’s the need of the hour to spotlight an important intervention that has lifesaving potential – the HPV (Human Papillomavirus) vaccine. According to IARC (International Agency for Research on Cancer) Factsheet 2023, cervical cancer ranks as the 2nd most frequent cancer among women in India. With 1,27,526 new cases and an age-standardised incidence rate of 17.7 per 100,000. India contributes to one–fifth (21%) of global new cases (Lancet, 2020). Alarmingly, as per NFHS-5, only 1.9% of women aged 30–49 have ever undergone cervical cancer screening.

To address this burden, the NTAGI (National Technical Advisory Group from Immunization) 2022 recommended the introduction of the HPV vaccine into UIP (Universal Immunisation Programme). Following this event, in February 2024, the finance minister in the interim budget speech for FY24-25 mentioned actively ‘promoting’ the HPV vaccine targeting girls aged 9–14 years.

However, this breakthrough to reach the roots of the health system requires robust support across various levels. Starting with the infrastructure, awareness, training, and community engagement — especially within PHC (Primary Health Care). This is where CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) can emerge as a critical scaffold.

CSR: From Compliance to Catalysis

India’s CSR law, under Schedule VII of the Companies Act, 2013, allows healthcare as a priority sector. CSR can strategically fill the gaps in HPV vaccine integration through funding in various ways:

• Cold chain infrastructure at PHCs
• School-based vaccination awareness drives
• Training of FLWs (Front Line Workers) to build vaccine confidence
• Deploying mobile health units in underserved (tribal and hard–to–reach) areas which are equipped with HPV vaccines

Models of Success: Where CSR Made a Difference

CSR supported various health initiatives. A standout example is Sikkim, which introduced school-based HPV vaccination for multi-age cohorts with over 95% coverage, aided by government and development partners. This model demonstrates the potential for corporate partners to collaborate with the government in replicating such initiatives, particularly in states like Mizoram, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, and Karnataka, which report the highest cervical cancer burden.

The Road Ahead

India has pledged to meet WHO’s 90-70-90 cervical cancer elimination goals by 2030:

• 90% of girls are fully vaccinated by 15 years,
• 70% of women screened by 35, and again by 45 years,
• 90% of women identified with cervical precancer or cervical cancer received adequate treatment and care.

Achieving this required multisectoral commitment CSRs must transition from peripheral support to core strategy, aligning with public health systems to embed HPV vaccination into routine primary care.

Collaboration with entities like the Indian Cancer Society, focusing under the four categories of CSR activities –can foster in making this vision, a reality.