74,000 deaths: why the HPV vaccine is necessary in India
GS2Polity · Governance · IR· Health policy & public health· Prelims + Mains·
Why in news
Dr. Kriti Hegde, a paediatric oncology consultant, highlighted the necessity of HPV vaccination to combat cervical cancer, which causes nearly 74,000 deaths annually in India.
Background
Cervical cancer claims approximately 74,000 lives every year in India. The Indian government has launched a nationwide vaccination campaign for 14-year-old girls using a single-dose 'Gardasil 4' vaccine.
Facts for Prelims
- FactCervical cancer causes nearly 74,000 deaths annually in India
- S&THPV vaccines are available in quadrivalent and nonavalent forms
- SchemeThe Indian government's HPV vaccination campaign targets 14-year-old girls
- FactGardasil 4 is the specific single-dose vaccine used in the current nationwide campaign
For Mains
Q. Discuss the significance of public health immunization programs in reducing the burden of non-communicable diseases like cervical cancer in India.
Dimensions to cover in your answer
- Public health infrastructure: Need for robust cold-chain logistics and rural outreach for vaccine distribution
- Socio-cultural barriers: Addressing vaccine hesitancy and misinformation regarding side effects in rural communities
- Preventive healthcare: Shifting focus from curative oncology to early-stage immunization and screening
Keywords: Preventive healthcare · Immunization · Non-communicable diseases · Public health policy · Vaccine hesitancy
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