Cervical Cancer: Indian Government To Make HPV Vaccines Available In Primary Schools

In a welcoming move, the government of India has decided to launch a nationwide cervical cancer immunisation drive for girls between nine and 14 years. According to a report by the Hindustan Times, the homegrown vaccine will be distributed across primary schools, and the government has instructed states and Union Territories about the rollout.

The central government has also asked the governments of states and UTs to start preparing a list of girls currently studying in classes five to 10.

Vaccine Rollout

Earlier this year, the government announced the country’s first ingeniously grown HPV (Human Papillomavirus) vaccine. It will prevent cervical cancer and will be rolled out in 2023.

Soon after, the central government is planning to launch the nationwide immunisation drive. The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) granted market authorisation to the Serum Institute of India (SII) to manufacture the vaccine.

The states have been instructed to set up HPV vaccination centres across schools to ensure a smooth immunisation drive. These centres will also be responsible for creating awareness around the health issue and its prevention via parent-teacher meetings. A coordination between private and government schools will be set up for the same purpose.

Prevention & Cure Of Cervical Cancer

A joint letter was sent to all states and UTs on Monday, December 19, in which Sanjay Kumar, Secretary of School Education and Literacy Ministry of Education, and Rajesh Bhushan, Secretary of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, were quoted saying that cervical cancer is a preventable disease. It can also be cured if detected early and effective management is rolled out.

Most cervical cancers are associated with HPV, which most transmits through sexual activities. Hence, HPV vaccines are currently the only way to prevent the disease. It is most effective when admitted before a girl or woman is exposed to the virus.

The letter also pointed out that the National Technical Advisory Group for Immunisation (NTAGI) had recommended introducing the HPV vaccine in the Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP). Apart from primary schools, the vaccine will also be available in most government health facilities. U-WIN application would be used to register, record and report the number of vaccinations.

Cervical Cancer Is The Second Most Common Cancers Among Indian Women

According to a report published in Medanta, cervical cancer is the second most common type of cancer among Indian women. It forms about 16.5% of the total cancer cases among women. Breast cancer tops the list.

As per the data, about 160 million women between 30 and 59 years are at risk of developing cervical cancer, and the number is quite alarming. In 2018, the registered number of cervical cancer cases in India was 96,922.

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Why Are Indian Women Suffering At Such A High Rate?

• Most women do not seek help on time. The others who often visit a doctor at the initial stage cannot avail treatment because of the expense or unavailability of it in many hospitals.
• Most women often get diagnosed with cancer at an advanced age when it gets too late and difficult to treat the disease.

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• India does not have many centres where screening can help with early diagnosis of cervical cancer. However, in developed countries, women are more aware and take part in screening procedures.

There is stigma and shame attached to pelvic examination that prevents women from seeking help from doctors. The nationwide immunisation drive might bring some relief to women and cut down the number by a significant percentage.