India, Feb. 17 -- The Union ministry of health and family welfare has announced plans to introduce the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine under the national immunisation programme this year. Minister of state for health Anupriya Patel, in the recent Budget session of Parliament, said that modalities are being worked out for its rollout.

The health ministry introduces vaccines under its Universal Immunisation Programme, implemented through the National Health Mission. Each time discussions about the HPV vaccine surface, they generate excitement in the medical community. This enthusiasm stems from the vaccine's potential to prevent one of the most common and deadly cancers among women in India-cervical cancer.

HPV is a common virus that c...