An Auspicious Beginning: Serum Institute rolls out nationwide HPV-Cancer awareness campaign from Bhubaneswar

By Shabiha Nur Khatunn & Payal Banerjee

Bhubaneswar, June 18: In a determined move to combat one of India’s most preventable yet deadly cancers, the Serum Institute of India (SII) on Wednesday launched a countrywide public health initiative aimed at raising awareness about Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and its strong link to various cancers. The campaign began with the “Conquer HPV & Cancer Conclave 2025” in Bhubaneswar, focusing on promoting early vaccination and timely screening to check the growing incidence of HPV-related diseases in India.

The country carries a disproportionately high cervical cancer burden — the second most common cancer affecting Indian women. As per the ICO/IARC Information Centre on HPV and Cancer (2023), India reports over 1.23 lakh new cervical cancer cases and more than 77,000 deaths every year. Besides cervical cancer, HPV is responsible for nearly 90 per cent of anal cancers, 63 per cent of penile cancers, and a significant share of oropharyngeal cancers affecting both genders.

During the Bhubaneswar conclave, prominent medical professionals deliberated on the public health challenges posed by HPV and the urgent need to adopt preventive measures. The expert panel included Dr Tushar Kar, Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at SCB Medical College, Cuttack; Dr Bhagyalaxmi Nayak from AIHPGIC, Cuttack; Dr Mrutunjay Dash of IMS & SUM Hospital, Bhubaneswar; Dr Lalitendu Parida, Group Head at Serum Institute of India Pvt. Ltd; Dr Pyarilal Tripathy, Dr Susrut Das, and other specialists in pediatrics, oncology, and fertility care.

The panel stressed that HPV infections typically peak between the ages of 15 to 25, making awareness, vaccination, and regular screenings crucial. With the introduction of Cervavac, India’s first indigenously developed, gender-neutral quadrivalent HPV vaccine by SII, preventive options have become far more accessible to the public.

“Through these conclaves organised nationwide, our aim is to enhance understanding of HPV’s consequences and empower communities with knowledge for early detection and protection,” said Parag Deshmukh, Executive Director of Serum Institute of India.

The Bhubaneswar conclave wrapped up with an interactive session involving healthcare professionals and members of the public, reiterating the campaign’s broader vision of reducing preventable cancer cases through community outreach. The awareness campaign will extend to multiple cities in the months ahead.

Headquartered in Pune, the Serum Institute of India stands as the world’s largest vaccine producer by volume and has remained a leader in affordable vaccine manufacturing for over 50 years.