Cervical vaccination camp organised in Visakhapatnam
She launched a camp held to administer second dose of the vaccine to the girl children of journalists in the city on Monday. The camp was organised jointly by the Chaitanya Sravanthi voluntary organisation and the A.P. Working Journalists Federation. She said there will not be any side effects after vaccination and it is the only way to prevent cervical cancer.
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The Hindu
29-07-2025
- The Hindu
Move on HPV vaccine rollout to adolescent girls raises other vaccination priorities for Kerala: epidemiologists
Kerala's decision to introduce HPV vaccination targeting adolescent girls, to protect them from cervical cancer is generally hailed as a positive public health measure. However, health experts have pointed out that the State has other pressing public health concerns, where also vaccination strategies must be prioritised. Going by the current data from the population-based and hospital-based cancer registries in Kerala, the incidence of cervical cancer has been on a steady decline in the State over the past several years and it no longer figures among the top five cancers affecting women in Kerala, according to epidemiologists. This is consistent with improvements in women's health and hygiene, better sexual practices, education and healthcare access in Kerala. Even though the World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended HPV vaccination for adolescent girls, in Kerala cervical cancer incidence is only eight per lakh population, even when at the national level, cervical cancer remained the second highest of all cancers reported amongst women as in 2022. 'Only if there is an uptick' The committee headed by Dr. B. Ekbal, which submitted the State's Vaccine Policy recommendations in November 2022, had noted that HPV vaccination should be considered in Kerala only if there is an increasing trend in the incidence of cervical cancer from the current baseline. It said that given the fact that the cost of vaccinating 13 lakh adolescent girls would be over ₹200 crore, HPV vaccination was not indicated, nor was it cost effective. Dr. Ekbal says that this picture has changed given that Serum Institute of India is now producing HPV vaccines at much competitive rates. While HPV vaccine manufactured by pharma majors are available in the range of ₹2,000-₹4,000/dose (there is also the HPV vaccine which protects against nine strains of HPV, costing around ₹10,850/dose), Cervavac produced by Serum Institute of India is available at ₹2,000/dose. 'HPV vaccine cost has come down and as far as dosage is concerned, there is some emerging evidence, (as per the WHO), that even a single dose delivers solid protection against HPV. That changes the picture completely. From a gender perspective, I am happy about the State's decision to protect adolescent girls against HPV,' Dr. Ekbal said. Current public health concerns However, the State should not forget its current public health concerns, which included protecting children from rabies through anti-rabies pre-exposure prophylaxis vaccine and from mumps, through an additional dose of MMR vaccine, he said. Rabies is emerging as a serious public health issue in the State, with children being a major casualty, he reminded. 'The mortality and morbidity due to influenza and pneumococcal infections is high in the elderly, the immunocompromised and those with co-morbidities. The State should prioritise annual flu vaccine and pneumococcal vaccine to protect elderly against pneumonia and meningitis,' Dr. Ekbal pointed out. He said that the Health department should recommend these vaccines so that there is more uptake for the same, which can bring down the cost of vaccines. Time to push for elimination 'Introducing HPV for adolescent girls is a policy decision that the Government had taken much earlier. Questions whether HPV vaccination is a priority now can be controversial. It is true that cervical cancer incidence is going down steadily and thus this would be the right time to push through elimination strategies. HPV vaccination is being introduced as part of the State's efforts to eliminate cervical cancer and the operational details are being worked out,' PK Jameela, member, State Planning Board, said.
New Indian Express
25-07-2025
- New Indian Express
Experts call for HPV awareness to fight cervical cancer
HYDERABAD: Medical experts have voiced serious concern over the alarming rise in cervical cancer cases in India, primarily caused by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), despite it being a highly preventable disease through timely vaccination and regular screening. With over 51.4 crore women aged 15 and above at risk, the country reports 123,907 new cases and 77,348 deaths from cervical cancer every year, making it the second most common cancer among women. The issues were voiced during a panel discussion at the 'Conquer HPV & Cancer Conclave,' organised by the Serum Institute of India (SII) at a star hotel in Hyderabad on Thursday. The Serum Institute, in collaboration with the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), has developed the country's first indigenous gender-neutral quadrivalent HPV vaccine, Cervavac. The vaccine offers protection against HPV types 6, 11, 16, and 18, with types 6 and 11 causing genital warts and types 16 and 18 responsible for cervical cancer. Cervavac is recommended for both girls and boys aged 9 to 26 years. Consultant gynaecologist and gynaecological oncologist at St. Theresa's Hospital and Asvins Hospital, Dr D Leela stated, 'While every HPV-positive case does not mean cervical cancer, counselling is important. Screening is crucial for sexually active women over 30, as 90% of individuals contract HPV at least once by this age. The concern lies in the remaining 10% where the infection becomes persistent,' she told TNIE.
The Hindu
18-07-2025
- The Hindu
Free HPV vaccination drive for girls in August
Visakhapatnam South MLA Vamsi Krishna Srinivas has urged parents to get their daughters aged 9 to 14 years vaccinated to prevent cervical cancer. A free HPV vaccine drive will be conducted for the students of the Government Queen Mary's High School, aged nine to 14 years, in August. The Lions Club of Vizag Charitable Trust and Chaitanya Sravanthi, with the funds from Visakhapatnam Port Authority (VPA), will organise the vaccination drive. Participating in an awareness camp organised for the parents at Queen Mary's High School on Thursday, Mr. Vamsi Krishna Srinivas said vaccination was the only way to prevent cervical cancer. Chaitanya Sravanthi president Shirin Rahman said the VPA was sponsoring the vaccination drive. The first dose would be administered in August, while the second dose would be given in February, 2026. Dr. I Vani, Superintendent, King George Hospital (KGH), said that vaccination of girls in the target age group was necessary to prevent cervical cancer. She said that pap smear tests were being conducted at KGH for the early detection of cervical cancer. Lions Cancer and General Hospital managing trustee V. Uma Maheswar Rao said awareness camps were being organised in rural and urban areas, particularly in slums. Dr. Sarojini, a retired DM&HO also spoke. GVMC corporator Sadiq, Queen Mary's School Head Master C.S.R. Varma, Lions Club of Vizag Charitable Trust secretary Ravichandra and treasurer Harinadh Chowdary were present.
