The country’s capital Delhi has become the first  Indian state to launch the HPV (Human Papillomavirus) vaccine as a public health programme for the children in school.

“Girls studying in Class VI in government schools will be targeted in the first year. This will be completed in the current academic year over two phase”, said Satyendar Jain Health Minister.

This vaccine helps to protect people from the group of 150-odd HPVs, few of which can cause cervical cancer. On Monday At the international workshop for cancer awareness , prevention-“In the next three to four months, we will begin the first phase of the vaccination programme in Delhi. This year, we are starting with only Class VI girl students. In the next year, our target is to include all girls between the age of 9 and 13. I think we will eradicate cervical cancer from Delhi first in India”, said Jain.

It is also officially added that children will be given two dose of this vaccine, will be administered within 30 days of first and second dose and the third booster will be given within 240 days of the first dose.

Director of the Delhi state cancer institute Dr. R.K. Grover,who coordinating the workshop said, “Almost 80 per cent of cervical cancers can be prevented with the HPV vaccine. This programme has already been adopted in 150 countries. Delhi will be the first state in India to replicate this.”