Vaccine Drive to Fight Cervical Cancer

• 13 Jan 2024

Source: IE

Why In News?

The Indian Government intends to initiate a three-phase vaccination drive against human papillomavirus (HPV) for girls aged 9-14, aiming to mitigate the risk of cervical cancer.

• The vaccine also offers protection against the HPV strains that cause cancer of the anus, vagina and oropharynx. Additionally, it also protects against the HPV strains that are responsible for genital warts.

Note

The Serum Institute of India in 2023 launched an indigenous HPV vaccine known as CERVAVAC.

What is Cervical Cancer?

• About:
  • Cervical cancer develops in a woman's cervix. It is the 4^th most common type of cancer among women, globally and 2^nd most common among women in India.
    • India contributes the largest share of the global cervical cancer burden; nearly 1 in every 4 deaths globally due to cervical cancer (as per The Lancet study).
  • Almost all cervical cancer cases (99%) are linked to infection with high-risk Human Papillomavirus (HPV) , an extremely common virus transmitted through sexual contact.
    • Effective primary (HPV vaccination) and secondary prevention approaches (screening for and treating precancerous lesions) will prevent most cervical cancer cases.
  • When diagnosed, cervical cancer is one of the most successfully treatable forms of cancer, as long as it is detected early and managed effectively.
  • India accounts for about a fifth of the global burden for cervical cancer, recording about 1.25 lakh cases and about 75,000 deaths each year.
• Types of Strain:
  • Persistent infections with certain high-risk HPV strains lead to nearly 85% of all cervical cancers.
  • At least 14 HPV types have been identified as oncogenic (potential to cause cancer).
    • Among these, HPV types 16 and 18, considered to be the most oncogenic, have been found to be responsible for about 70% of all cervical cancer cases globally.

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Question (PYQ)

Q. ‘Mission Indradhanush’ launched by the Government of India pertains to (2016)

(a)  immunization of children and pregnant women 
(b)  construction of smart cities across the country 
(c) India’s own search for the Earth-like planets in outer space 
(d) New Educational Policy 

Ans: (a) 

Exp:

• Mission Indradhanush is an immunization scheme launched by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, GoI on 25th December, 2014. 
• Depicting seven colours of the rainbow, it aimed to cover all those children by 2020 who are either unvaccinated, or are partially vaccinated against seven vaccine preventable diseases which include diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus, polio, tuberculosis, measles and hepatitis B. 
•  The mission is technically supported by WHO, UNICEF, Rotary International and other donor partners.
• Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer.