Goa launches HPV vaccination drive for girls above 14 yrs

NT Reporter

Margao

The state-level launch of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine for girls aged 14 years and above was held at the South Goa District Hospital on Saturday, coinciding with the nationwide immunisation drive launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The vaccine aims to prevent cervical cancer.

The state launch was carried out by Health Secretary Yatindra Maralkar,
IAS, along with doctors from the Directorate of Health Services.

Speaking on the occasion, Maralkar said, “It is a historical moment that as the Prime Minister launched the campaign in Rajasthan, we in Goa are also launching this life-saving initiative that simultaneously brings hope and protection to our daughters. Cervical cancer is a silent threat and a major public health concern in India and the world.”

The human papillomavirus is known to cause cervical cancer and can be prevented through vaccination. Under the campaign, girls aged 14 years and above can receive a single-dose vaccine at any government health facility in the state, including primary health centres, community health centres and hospitals.

Maralkar said adequate cold chain points have been set up and dedicated medical officers have been deployed to handle any adverse reactions following immunisation. He said the vaccination is voluntary and parental or guardian consent is mandatory. “Over the next three months the HPV vaccine will be widely available. We can make Goa a model state and help in the elimination of cervical cancer,” he said.

At present, the state conducts screening for the virus as part of early detection campaigns. The introduction of the vaccine is being seen as the second stage in the prevention of cervical cancer. Meanwhile, the vaccine will be provided free of cost at designated government health facilities, said Dr Jagadish A Cacodcar, professor HoD Community Medicine Goa Medical College and Nodal Officer of the Cancer Detection Abhiyaan of Goa. Vaccination will be conducted at Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (Primary Health Centres), Community Health Centres, Sub-District and District Hospitals as well as government medical colleges and hospitals.

The targeted population is girls aged 14 years (those who have celebrated their 14th birthday but not yet their 15th).

The special campaign will run in mission mode over a three-month period, during which eligible girls can receive the vaccine daily at designated facilities. Thereafter, the vaccine will continue to be available on routine immunisation days.

Cervical cancer, the second most common cancer among women in India, is primarily caused by persistent infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV). Statistics show that HPV programme implemented in UK since 2008, led to considerable decline of cervical cancer

Dr Cacodcar also said that the HPV vaccination programme will help India align with the targets which need to be met by 2030, according to WHO’s Cervical Cancer Elimination. Vaccination will be voluntary and informed consent from parents/guardians will be obtained prior to administration.