New Delhi: In a major breakthrough for cancer prevention in India, Union Minister of State for Health, Family Welfare, and Ayush, Prataprao Jadhav, announced that a vaccine targeting breast, oral, and cervical cancers in women will be rolled out in the next five to six months.
Speaking at a press conference in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Jadhav revealed that girls aged 9 to 16 years will be eligible for inoculation. The vaccine is currently in its final research stages, with trials underway.
Government’s Cancer Prevention Measures
In addition to the cancer vaccine rollout, the government is implementing several key initiatives to combat the rising number of cancer cases in India, including:
✅ Mandatory cancer screening for women over 30 at hospitals
✅ Establishment of daycare cancer centers for early detection and treatment
✅ Customs duty exemption on cancer medications to make treatment more affordable
Jadhav stated,
“The number of cancer patients has increased in the country, and the Central Government has initiated steps to address this issue. Women above 30 will undergo screening at hospitals, and daycare cancer centers will be established for early detection of the disease.”
Russia’s mRNA Cancer Vaccine Initiative
Meanwhile, in December 2024, Russia announced a groundbreaking mRNA-based cancer vaccine aimed at treating cancer patients rather than preventing tumors. The vaccine will be available for free to Russian citizens starting early 2025.
The customized vaccine will be tailored using genetic material from a patient’s tumor and is expected to cost the government 300,000 rubles ($2,869) per dose.
Andrey Kaprin, head of the Ministry of Health’s Radiology Medical Research Centre, explained,
“The goal of this vaccine is to treat cancer patients, not to stop tumors from growing.”
The Gamaleya National Research Centre for Epidemiology and Microbiology is spearheading this development. Researchers are employing AI-based neural network computing to speed up the customization process, reducing the time required to build personalized vaccines from weeks to just 30-60 minutes.
India’s Growing Focus on Cancer Care
The Indian government is actively working to expand healthcare infrastructure, with plans to increase the number of Ayush facilities across the country. Currently, 12,500 health facilities are operational, with plans to expand further to improve healthcare accessibility.
With the upcoming cancer vaccine for women, India is taking a major step toward preventive healthcare, potentially reducing cancer incidence and improving survival rates.
