Vaccine for cervical cancer launched in city

There’s good news for women in India, the world’s worst affected nation as far as cervical cancer is concerned.

The country’s first cervical cancer vaccine was launched on Wednesday in the city. Gardasil, the quadrivalent Human Papillomavirus vaccine launched by MSD Pharmaceuticals (India), an affiliate of Merck & Co, is targetted at women, in the age group of nine to 26. It is already available in 108 countries worldwide.

”Cervical cancer is the leading cause of mortality among Indian women due to cancer, with 1.5 lakh cases and 74,000 deaths being reported annually,” said Naveen Rao, managing director, MSD. The second dose of the vaccine has to be given two months after the first and the third after six months.

“The vaccine is mandatory for girls in Australia, France and the US. MSD now plans to work with the government to make it available at a reasonable price,” said Rao.

The Indian Association of Paediatrics (IAP) as well as the Federation of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists Society of India (FOGSI) have already recommended it.

“Cervical cancer is detected very late, usually beyond the stage of cure. So prevention is the best answer,” said Dr Yashwant Ambeker, IAP member.

“All women, young, middle-aged or old, are at risk. Sadly, most women are not even aware of their cervix,” said Dr Tanu Singhal, consultant, Hinduja Hospital.