Kasauli-based drugs lab releases vaccine for cervical cancer

Tribune News Service

Ambika Sharma

Solan, March 6

Cervical cancer cases among women are rising in Himachal Pradesh. It mainly affects the low and lower middle income group of women. It is commonly referred to as the cancer at the mouth of the uterus i.e the cervix, which can be life threatening.

“A ray of hope towards eliminating it has been lit with the first India-made papilloma virus vaccine, cervavac, for the prevention of cervical cancer, having been released by the Central Drugs laboratory in Kasauli recently. The Serum Institute of India is preparing for a bulk production of this vaccine,” informed Dr Sanjay Aggarwal, a Solan-based surgeon.

Dr Sanjay Aggarwal, who runs a private hospital in Solan has initiated a campaign for the eradication of this disease in the state. He has chalked out a roadmap for carrying out awareness for the vaccination programme after it has been rolled out for free by the government. Girl students of his nursing institute have already initiated an awareness campaign against this deadly disease.

Hopeful of eliminating it, he said, “Eliminating any cancer would have once seemed an impossible dream. Evidence-based tools to make this dream a reality are now available.”

A three-tier approach in the elimination strategy as advocated by the World Health Organisation in 2020 could bring down the incidence of this dreaded disease to a bare minimum.

“This includes vaccination of 90 per cent girls by the age of 15, screening of at least 70 per cent of women by the age of 35 and again by the age of 45. Treatment for 90 per cent of pre-cancer and invasive cancer to be managed,” he explains.

Symptoms of cervical cancer may include irregular periods, discharge, increased blood flow during mensuration, discharge after menopause, difficulty in urination and back-ache.

“Presently, vaccine cervavac is available in the private market for Rs 2,000. The Union Government proposes to focus on vaccination against cervical cancer for girls aged nine to 14 years, as part of the interim budget 2024. If this is implemented, it will be a boon to the female population. This initiative will play a key role in eliminating the disease in Himachal,” informed Dr Aggarwal.

Eliminating the disease

The Union Government proposes to focus on vaccination against cervical cancer for girls in 9 to 14 age group. If this is implemented, it will be a boon to female population. This initiative will play a key role in eliminating the disease in Himachal Pradesh. — Dr Sanjay Aggarwal, Solan-based surgeon

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