Cancer Vaccination
In a major effort to combat cervical cancer, India is expected to incorporate the human papillomavirus vaccine (HPV) into the country’s vaccination programme this year. The National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (NTAGI), India’s premier immunisation agency, will make the final decision on the HPV vaccination during a meeting on June 29.
According to ET, the Serum Institute of India (SII) will launch the country’s first indigenous HPV vaccine. “The HPV vaccination is being considered for inclusion in the immunisation programme by NTAGI. At the end of this month, the data on safety and efficacy will be provided to NTAGI and the drug controller,” the source stated.
NTAGI’s technical subcommittee has already supported the vaccine’s introduction. “NTAGI will analyse the information and make the final judgement,” the source stated.
The government intends to target girls aged 9 to 14 for cervical cancer immunisation. The vaccination is currently only offered in private hospitals and costs up to ‘4,000 per dose. While, the studies for the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, which is intended to prevent cervical cancer, had previously failed.
