Bihar became the first state to provide free HPV vaccine to girls aged 09-14 years to prevent cervical cancer

Bihar became the first state to provide free #HPV vaccine to girls aged 09-14 years to prevent cervical cancer

Bihar has indeed taken a pioneering step in combating cervical cancer. The state has launched an initiative to provide free Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines to girls aged 9-14 years, making it the first state to do so ¹. This groundbreaking effort aims to safeguard young girls from the devastating consequences of cervical cancer.

The HPV vaccine, known as Cervavac, is an indigenously developed vaccine manufactured by the Serum Institute of India ¹. Initially, the vaccine will the private market at ₹2,000 per dose, but thanks to government initiatives, it will now be available at an affordable rate ².

Key Highlights of the Initiative:

- Target Beneficiaries: 2.55 crore girls aged 9-14 years

- Implementation Phases: Six states, including Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Mizoram, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh, will roll out the vaccination campaign ²

- Procurement Plans: The Union Health Ministry will float a global tender for 16.02 crore doses to be procured by 2026 ²

This proactive measure is crucial, considering India accounts for approximately 25% of global cervical cancer incidences and 30% of cervical cancer deaths ². By vaccinating young girls, Bihar is taking a significant stride towards protecting its future generations from this debilitating disease.