New Delhi: The Centre on Saturday said it is yet to take a decision on the roll-out of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination against cervical cancer in the country. The Union Health Ministry said media reports speculating that the government will launch an HPV vaccination campaign in the second quarter of 2024 to target girls in the 9-14 age group are "not true".
The ministry also said it is closely monitoring cervical cancer cases in the country and is in regular touch with states and various health departments.
Earlier, there were media reports that India will launch an extensive HPV vaccination campaign targeting girls in the 9-14 age group.
The immunisation drive will unfold in three phases, with over 7 crore doses prepared for the initial stage, the reports claimed.
Cervical cancer is currently the second leading cause of cancer among women in India.
The World Health Organization (WHO) ranks cervical cancer as the fourth most common type of cancer globally, emphasizing the urgency of preventive measures.
India, accounting for approximately a fifth of the world's cervical cancer cases, is witnessing a concerning rise in cancer incidence. The number of cancer cases is projected to surge from 14.6 lakh in 2022 to 15.7 lakh in 2025, underscoring the critical need for robust preventive measures.