Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi
New Delhi, Sep 11: India has crossed the milestone of 80 lakh human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccinations, the Ministry of Health and Welfare said on Friday, marking a significant step towards strengthening preventive healthcare and protecting adolescent girls against HPV infection and HPV-associated cancers.
The ministry said the achievement would contribute to the country's efforts towards cancer prevention and control, particularly cervical cancer, which is strongly associated with certain types of HPV.
The HPV vaccine helps protect against human papillomavirus, an infection that can increase the risk of several cancers, including cervical cancer.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court on Thursday declined to entertain a public interest litigation (PIL) raising concerns over the government's nationwide HPV vaccination campaign for adolescent girls aimed at preventing cervical cancer.
A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana observed that in cases of incorrect vaccination, ordinary rules relating to compensation would apply. The court also observed that the PIL appeared to have been filed with an ulterior motive and lacked bona fides.
The counsel appearing for the petitioner, however, said the plea was focused on adverse events and compensation and was not against the HPV vaccine. He said his concerns related to the manner in which the programme was being implemented and the absence of an adequate mechanism to monitor adverse events following vaccination.
Following the court's observations, the counsel withdrew the plea and the matter was dismissed as withdrawn. The petition had been filed by the Universal Health Organisation, challenging the manner in which the government-backed HPV vaccination programme was being implemented.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had launched the nationwide HPV vaccination campaign for 14-year-old girls from Ajmer in Rajasthan on February 28.
Under the programme, a single dose of Gardasil 4, a quadrivalent HPV vaccine, is being administered. The vaccine provides protection against HPV types 16 and 18, which are responsible for a significant proportion of cervical cancer cases, as well as types 6 and 11.