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Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will launch the Health department’s initiative to provide free HPV vaccination to adolescent girls in Plus One and Plus Two classes to prevent cervical cancer The cervical cancer prevention initiative is being piloted in Kannur district. Chief Minister will inaugurate the initiative on November 3 at Koothuparamba taluk hospital Cervical cancer, caused by the Humanpapilloma virus (HPV), is one of the commonest cancers among women, for which an effective vaccine is currently available. At the national level, cervical cancer remained the second-highest of all cancers reported amongst women as in 2022. However, in Kerala, going by the recent data from population-based and hospital-based cancer registries, the incidence of cervical cancer has been on a steady decline over the past several years. The cervical cancer incidence in the State is eight per lakh population and hence it no longer figures among the top five cancers affecting women in Kerala. The low incidence rate is attributed to the vast improvements in women’s health and hygiene, better sexual practices, education and healthcare access in Kerala. Despite the low incidence, Kerala Government took a conscious policy decision to take up HPV vaccination for girls in order to protect the future generations from HPV infection, Health Minister Veena George, said here. The Health department reckons that introducing HPV vaccination at a time when cervical cancer incidence in the State is low, would be the right strategy for Kerala to move towards the elimination of cervical cancer. Tamil Nadu, Sikkim and Bihar are the other States which are currently offering free HPV vaccination to girls in the 9-14 years age group, while Delhi and Punjab, which after the pilot programme, did not sustain it. Though the recommended age for HPV vaccination is 11-12 years, the vaccine is approved for use from as early as nine years . Early vaccination is recommended so that there is maximum immune response and to provide protection before any potential exposure to the virus. However, the vaccine is recommended up to 26 years of age if not previously vaccinated. Though international bodies have recommended HPV vaccination for both girls and boys, in Kerala, the State is at present vaccinating only the girls Kerala Cancer Care Board recommended that HPV vaccination be implemented amongst Plus One and Plus Two students. The government has also engaged a technical committee to give clarity to the public regarding HPV vaccination and to give the necessary guidelines. It was on the basis of the recommendation of the technical committee that it was decided to pilot the initiative in one district The Health department will take up a public awareness drive in the pilot district to give clear information on the benefits of HPV vaccination and to encourage people to voluntarily come forward to accept the vaccine. The department has sought the cooperation of various NGOs and voluntary organisations, the Lions Club and the Rotary Club in awareness creation and implementation of the HPV vaccination initiative.
