Key Points on HPV Vaccine Introduction in India:
What is the significance of the HPV vaccine?
The HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) vaccine targets cervical cancer, which is a curable disease if detected early and treated adequately.
How prevalent is cervical cancer in India?
Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women in India, contributing to 6-29% of all cancers in women.
What has India done in response to cervical cancer?
India has introduced the HPV vaccine at the sub-national level in Sikkim and plans to expand its use to other states.
What are the WHO’s views on the vaccine’s introduction?
The WHO lauds the move as part of the global cervical cancer elimination strategy, noting that political will has been crucial in vaccine adoption.
What are the global statistics on cervical cancer?
Globally, cervical cancer accounts for 2,00,000 new cases in South East Asia, which is 32% of the worldwide burden, and 1,00,000 deaths, or 34% of global fatalities.
Strategic Health Goals:
What are the regional achievements in vaccine introduction?
Bhutan, Indonesia, Maldives, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and Thailand have introduced the HPV vaccine nationwide.
What are India’s future plans for the HPV vaccine?
India aims to broaden the scope of HPV vaccination, with Nepal and Timor-Leste planning to introduce it by 2023-24.
SRIRAM’s
