Pune: BJ Medical College to Launch Free HPV Vaccination Drive for Medical Students
Pune, 16th December 2024: In a significant step toward cancer prevention, BJ Medical College is set to initiate a free Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccination drive for its students starting Tuesday. The college claims this is the first mass HPV vaccination campaign undertaken in Maharashtra.
HPV is a known cause of various types of cancer, including cervical cancer, which has shown an alarming rise in recent years. The college has set an ambitious target of vaccinating 1,000 medical and nursing students. While the vaccine is not mandatory, students can voluntarily participate in this campaign. Initially, priority will be given to female students, followed by male students.
During a press conference held on Monday, BJ Government Medical College Dean Dr. Eknath Pawar shared the details of the initiative. He was accompanied by Dr. Muralidhar Tambe, Head of the Department of Community Medicine, and Dr. Yallappa Jadhav, Medical Superintendent. Dr. Pawar highlighted that the Serum Institute of India would provide 3,000 doses of its HPV vaccine, Cervavac, for this campaign.
“This is the first time in the state that a college has launched such a large-scale HPV vaccination drive. HPV infection can lead to several types of cancers. The vaccine benefits both men and women, helping prevent cervical and genital cancers,” Dr. Pawar said.
Currently, the HPV vaccine is not included in the central government’s national immunization program but is available in private hospitals. Typically, two doses are recommended for individuals aged 9 to 14, while three doses are given to those aged 15 to 26.
Dr. Pawar emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating, “This vaccination campaign is specifically aimed at medical and nursing students, who are future healthcare providers. By protecting themselves, they can also advocate for and promote awareness about HPV vaccination in the wider community.”
The campaign marks a pivotal moment in the fight against HPV-related cancers in Maharashtra, setting an example for other institutions to follow.
