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India Launches Free HPV Vaccine Drive to Combat Cervical Cancer Nationwide

Health experts and leaders have welcomed the introduction of the HPV vaccine in India as a crucial step against cervical cancer. The vaccination campaign, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, will provide the vaccine free of cost, targeting girls aged 14-15. Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced a three-month drive in the capital to vaccinate approximately 1.6 lakh girls. The initiative is seen as a major public health measure to significantly reduce the disease burden in the coming years.

Key Points: India Launches Free HPV Vaccine to Fight Cervical Cancer

  • Free HPV vaccine launched nationwide
  • Targets girls aged 14-15
  • Aims to prevent cervical cancer
  • Drive to run for three months in Delhi
3 min read

"Very important to bring this vaccine": Delhi's Safdarjung Hospital celebrates introduction of HPV vaccine to combat cervical cancer

Delhi's Safdarjung Hospital celebrates the national HPV vaccine rollout. The free vaccination campaign targets girls aged 14-15 to prevent cervical cancer.

"It was very important to bring this vaccine to our country. - Dr Bindu Bajaj"

New Delhi, March 1

Dr Bindu Bajaj, Professor and Head of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Safdarjung Hospital welcomed the introduction of the HPV vaccine in the country, calling it a significant move in the fight against cervical cancer.

Speaking to ANI on the importance of the vaccine, Dr Bajaj said, "It was very important to bring this vaccine to our country. This cancer is very common. This vaccine is being given at the age of 14, so its results have been seen to be good. We are very happy.

"It was very important to bring this vaccine to our country...This cancer is very common...This vaccine is being given at the age of 14, so its results have been seen to be good...We are very happy", she said.

HPV vaccine aims to reduce the incidence of cervical cancer, a major health concern in India. The vaccination drive is targeted at pre-teens; the vaccine is expected to have a significant impact on public health.

She highlighted that cervical cancer remains one of the most common cancers affecting women and emphasised that early vaccination will play a crucial role in reducing the disease burden in the coming years.

Earlier in the day, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta participated in the launch program of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccination Campaign against cervical cancer at the Guru Teg Bahadur (GTB) Hospital.

While addressing the event, the Delhi Chief Minister highlighted that at least 80,000 women develop cervical cancer every year."Approximately 80,000 women develop cervical cancer each year, which can be prevented by getting the HPV vaccination at an early age. In such a situation, it is a matter of good fortune that the Prime Minister has made this vaccine available free of cost to all women... When I was looking at its efficiency rate, then almost 93 per cent protection is possible with this vaccine, due to which our women will be saved from this disease..." she stated.

Furthermore, Gupta said that the state government will run the HPV vaccination drive for three months to vaccinate young girls aged 14-15."In Delhi, 1.6 lakh girls are 14-15 years old, in the next 3 months we will run HPV vaccination drive in which our health department, education department, Asha workers, everyone will join in it, will spread its information to every household and will ensure that every daughter takes this vaccine so that no daughter of Delhi gets cervical cancer..." she added.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the nationwide HPV vaccination campaign and development projects worth Rs 16,680 crore in Rajasthan's Ajmer.

Addressing a large public rally after the event, PM Modi said the BJP's double-engine government in Rajasthan has completed two years, and the state is now advancing on a new path of development.

The Prime Minister called the HPV vaccination campaign an important step towards empowering the women of the country.

"Today, from this land of brave women, I have got the opportunity to launch an important campaign for the daughters of the entire country. The HPV vaccination campaign has been launched in Ajmer. This campaign is an important step towards empowering the women of the country," PM Modi said.

"The promises of development with which the BJP government came to serve you are being fulfilled with great speed. And today is the day to accelerate this very campaign of development," he said.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Excellent initiative. The focus on 14-15 year olds is smart, as the article says results are best at that age. Now the real challenge is awareness and reaching every household, especially in rural areas. Hope the ASHA workers get full support.
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Aman W
A very positive move for public health. While celebrating, we must also ensure the drive is sustained beyond 3 months and includes proper education to combat any vaccine hesitancy. Prevention is always better than cure.
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Sarah B
As someone who has seen the impact of this cancer in my family, I cannot stress enough how important this is. 80,000 cases a year is a staggering number. Free vaccination can literally save generations of women. Hats off to the doctors and health workers leading this.
K
Karthik V
Good step, but the article quickly turned political. This is about women's health, not which party is in power. Let's keep the focus on the science and the lives it will save, rather than using it as a rally point.
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Meera T
Finally! My daughter is 14 and I've been reading about this vaccine for years. Was worried about the cost. So relieved it's now part of a national program. Hope the rollout in Delhi is smooth and serves as a model for other states. 👍

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