Cancer vaccination for plus two students; vaccine worth Rs.2000 for free

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination will be provided free of cost to girls in higher secondary classes as part of the eradication of cervical cancer. The Health, Education and Local Government Departments are jointly implementing it. Cervical cancer is the most common cancer among women in Kerala after breast cancer.

Vaccination will be done first in Alappuzha and Wayanad districts. Serum Institute's HPV vaccine is the cheapest in the market at Rs 2,000 per dose. This is the vaccine that will be provided to the students for free.

In foreign countries, this vaccine is given from the age of nine. Symptoms can take at least five years after the virus that causes cervical cancer enters the body. Therefore, the antibodies can build up the defences only if the person is vaccinated before they start having sex.

Three doses

• Second dose in the 2nd month after the first dose
• Third dose in the 4th month after the second dose

Cause of disease

• Sexual intercourse before the age of 18
• Relationship with more than one man
• If the sexual partner has a sexual relationship with another female