Delhi becomes first state to launch HPV vaccine in schools as public health programme

Delhi has become the first state in the country to launch the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine as a public health programme for school children in school.
•    HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI). 
•    HPV is a different virus than HIV and HSV (herpes). HPV is so common that nearly all sexually active men and women get it at some point in their lives. 
•    There are many different types of HPV. Some types can cause health problems including genital warts and cancers. 
•    Health Minister Satyendar Jain said 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 phases.
•    The HPV vaccine protects people against the group of 150-odd HPVs, some of which can cause cervical cancer.
•    Children will be given two doses of the vaccine. The first and the second doses will be given within a gap of 30 days.
•    Third booster dose will be given within 240 days of the first vaccine, which will be covered in the next phase.