The central government is going to take a big step towards strengthening the health of women in the country. Under which HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) vaccination program will soon be started across India. Its purpose is to protect daughters from cervical cancer in time.
According to Jantari, under this campaign the government will provide free vaccination to about 1.15 crore 14 year old girls every year. This vaccination will be completely voluntary and will be given in government hospitals. This step is not only important in the direction of health security, but also strengthens the resolve for healthy women and a strong nation.
What is cervical cancer and why is this vaccine important?
Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women in India. Every year about 80 thousand new cases are reported in the country and more than 42 thousand women die. The matter of concern is that in most cases this disease is caught late. According to doctors, this cancer is mostly caused by infection with HPV virus. Especially types 16 and 18 of HPV are responsible for this. The good thing is that this cancer can be prevented to a great extent by vaccination and timely screening.
Which vaccine will be given?
The government will use the HPV vaccine named Gardasil in this program. It is a quadrivalent vaccine, which protects against four types of HPV – 16, 18, 6 and 11. This vaccine is non-live, that is, it does not cause infection. More than 50 crore doses have been given worldwide since 2006. Scientific research shows that even a single dose gives strong and long-term protection. The World Health Organization (WHO) also considers HPV vaccination as an important part of the global strategy to eliminate cervical cancer.
Who will get the vaccine and how?
Under the government scheme, the vaccine will be administered to girls of 14 years of age and it will be completely free. Vaccination will take place in government health centers Ayushman Arogya Mandir, Community Health Center, District Hospital and Medical College. Trained doctors and medical staff will be present at every centre. There will be complete monitoring system after vaccination. Vaccination will be completely voluntary.
About 160 countries of the world have already included HPV vaccine in their national vaccination programs. More than 90 countries are adopting a single dose schedule. A reduction in the cases of HPV infection and cervical cancer has been seen in these countries. Now India is also going to take a big step in this direction.
Government’s appeal
The government has appealed to parents and guardians across the country to get their 14-year-old daughters vaccinated when this campaign starts. HPV vaccine is not just an injection, but a strong shield against cancer.