Cervical Cancer Prevention: The government is constantly making important decisions regarding health matters. In this regard, the government has taken a major step against cervical cancer by deciding to initiate vaccination.

HPV vaccine campaign

HPV Vaccination Campaign in India: The government is continuously taking major steps to protect women across the country. The government is launching a vaccination campaign against cervical cancer, a disease whose cases are steadily increasing in India. Under this initiative, girls aged 14 and older will be given the HPV vaccine free of charge. It is considered a safe option against cervical cancer. According to reports, approximately 11.5 million girls reach the age of 14 in India each year.

Cervical cancer cases

India accounts for approximately 25 percent of cervical cancer cases. Statistics show that every few minutes, a woman in the country dies from the disease. Experts believe that expanding HPV vaccination is an important step toward reducing preventable cancer deaths. Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common infection that spreads through skin-to-skin contact and often causes no symptoms in the early stages. If infection with high-risk strains persists for a long time, it can gradually progress to cancer.

The quadrivalent vaccine used in the national program provides protection against HPV types 16 and 18, which are responsible for most cases of cervical cancer. It also protects against types 6 and 11, which commonly cause genital warts. According to doctors, this vaccine helps reduce the risk of not only cervical cancer but also certain types of cancers of the anus, vagina, vulva, penis, and throat. If the vaccine is administered before exposure to the virus, it provides approximately 97 percent protection against cervical cancer and its early stages. Research suggests that strong immunity persists for at least 12 to 15 years after vaccination.

Girls aged 9 to 14 years

The vaccine is most effective during adolescence, so girls aged 9 to 14 are the primary target. Catch-up vaccination is recommended for women aged 15 to 26, while men and women aged 27 to 45 can get vaccinated after consulting a doctor. There is a push to include boys aged 9 to 14 as well to reduce the spread of infection. People with weakened immune systems, such as HIV-infected individuals, should seek health advice before vaccination.

Death from cervical cancer

According to a Mint report, cervical cancer remains the second most common cancer among women in India. Nearly 80,000 new cases are diagnosed each year, and more than 42,000 women die from the disease. Scientific evidence suggests that persistent infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV) is responsible for nearly all cervical cancer cases. HPV types 16 and 18, in particular, are considered high-risk, accounting for more than 80 percent of cases in India.

How effective is the HPV vaccine?

According to the US National Library of Medicine, the HPV vaccine is one of the most studied vaccines in the world. Research has shown that the vaccine is more than 90 percent effective in preventing cervical cancer caused by the HPV types it covers. These vaccination centers will be linked to 24-hour government health facilities, ensuring immediate access to healthcare when needed. This will strengthen safety standards and help increase parental confidence.