Prevention of cervical cancer; vaccination for female students to happen soon

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination for cervical cancer prevention will soon start for plus one and plus two students in Kerala. The Health Department, in a high-level meeting called by Minister Veena George, decided to hold a technical committee meeting within a week and take a final decision regarding the vaccine. The technical committee will decide on matters including which vaccine to give.

Awareness will be provided to the female students and their parents at the school level as per the guidelines of the technical committee. The second dose will be given in the second month after the first dose. Then the third dose is given in the fourth month. This is the HPV vaccine schedule.

The Kerala government issued an order in this regard in February last year. It could not be implemented due to the financial crisis. Kerala Kaumudi had reported this on September 23.

The goal is to administer the vaccine in Alappuzha and Wayanad districts in the first phase. Four crore rupees are needed for this alone. The decision was to use funds from the Health Department and NHM. Once vaccination is completed in two districts, it should be extended to other districts. It is not yet clear how the money will be raised. The exact financial cost will only be known once it is decided which company's vaccine will be used. The project is being implemented in collaboration with the education and LSG departments.

Cervical cancer

• It is the second most common cancer in women after breast cancer.
• The HPV vaccine is most effective between the ages of 9 and 14.
• The HPV vaccine can be given up to the age of 26.

"Cervical cancer can be prevented with the vaccine. The state has taken an important decision as per the instructions of the Chief Minister, keeping this in mind."

-Veena George

Health Minister