To discuss about the development and the road ahead, the IHW Council under its Rapid Global Cancer Alliance, initiated a virtual expert roundtable titled, “India Against Cervical Cancer- Role of India’s First Indigenous Vaccine”
The Centre announced CERVAVAC, the country’s first indigenously developed vaccine for cervical cancer on 1st September 2022. The vaccine will be manufactured by the Serum Institute of India in Pune along with the Centre’s Department of Biotechnology. To discuss about the development and the road ahead, the IHW Council under its Rapid Global Cancer Alliance, initiated a virtual expert roundtable titled, “India Against Cervical Cancer- Role of India’s First Indigenous Vaccine”.
Taking part in the discussion Dr Ravi Mehrotra, Adjunct Professor of Epidemiology, Rollins Institute of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, and Founder, the CHIP Foundation, said that, “The development is a dream come true for all of us and with correct and cautious implementation, involving all stakeholders in an integrated approach, we can make cervical cancer a disease of the past.”
Iterating about the significance of the landmark progress Urvashi Prasad, Director, Development Monitoring & Evaluation Office, NITI Aayog remarked, “The indigenous vaccine is a big step towards mass vaccination against HPV however misinformation and stigma around cervical cancer needs to be addressed. The need of the hour is to integrate immunisation schemes, systematically and strategically into existing health platforms in partnership with state governments.”
Dr Raj Shankar Ghosh, Senior Advisor-Vaccine Delivery, India Country Office, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation while taking part in the discussion observed, “Vaccines do not work stand-alone but with an integrated approach with other schemes for better implementation and awareness. The private sector has a huge role to play in terms of collaborating with government for policy decisions and also for creating awareness with a delivery mechanism in place to ensure proper policy framework.” He also emphasised on early screening for cervical cancer and significance of behavioural change communication programmes for masses.
Speaking on the occasion Dr Bhawna Sirohi, Medical Director, BALCO Medical Centre, Naya Raipur said, “Cervical cancer and breast cancer are the commonest cancer in women in India. Despite the availability of vaccine, screenings should be done consistently for cervical cancer, while addressing social and cultural barriers related to vaccine hesitancy, along with capacity building of existing mechanisms including ASHA workers to create awareness on the issue.”
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