Pune: In February, the Union Health Ministry had announced the inclusion of human papillomavirus (HPV vaccine) in the national vaccination programme to prevent cervical cancer and other cancers in women.

However, the vaccine has not yet been included in the programme. Meanwhile, the PMC's health department, with the help of voluntary organisations, is trying to procure the vaccine and give it to adolescent girls in municipal schools.

Human papilloma is a virus that causes women's ovarian cancer. It is transmitted through sexual intercourse. To prevent this from happening, the HPV vaccine is given to adolescent girls between the ages of 9 and 14.

Three doses are administered to young women between the ages of 15 and 24. However, its impact is better if given in adolescence. Their protection is what they get for the rest of their lives. The vaccine should probably be given before it becomes sexually active.

In February this year, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had announced the vaccine. The civic body has not been told about it.

However, the health department of the PMC, with the help of voluntary organisations, is planning to buy through social welfare fund (CSR) and give it to girls in the age group of 9 to 14 years in municipal schools on a pilot basis and it is being said that it will pick up pace after the elections.

Human papillomavirus is a group of 200 types of known viruses. These viruses are transmitted through sexual organs and can cause cervical, duct and throat cancers.

Not only women, but men can also get cancer due to these viruses. One dose of the vaccine is 0.5 ml, which is given twice at intervals of months. In private hospitals, it costs Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,000 per dose.

Initially, girls from municipal schools will be vaccinated. The PMC will procure 1,500 doses. Out of this, 700 girls will be vaccinated with the approval of the head of health and commissioner.

The process is complete. The remaining girls will be vaccinated with the help of voluntary organisations such as Rotary Club, said Dr. Rajesh Dighe, Assistant Health Officer, Pune Municipal Corporation.

We had sent a proposal to the Centre two years ago. There are an estimated 55 lakh girls in the age group of 9-14 years in Maharashtra. There was some funding for this last year.

However, the vaccine could not be procured as it was not available. Meanwhile, further action will be taken after receiving more guidelines from the government in this regard, said, Dr. Praveen Vedpathak, State Immunisation Officer.