Metro India News | Hyderabad 

In a major initiative to raise awareness and prevent cervical cancer, Apollo Cancer Centres and CURE Foundation has launched a free cervical cancer vaccination program. The program was officially unveiled by actress Meenakshi Choudary on Monday at the hospital premises, on the eve of World Cancer Day, observed on February 4, 2025.

This free vaccination drive being conducted throughout the month of February, will have free HPV vaccinations being administered to women between 9am and 6pm, at Apollo Cancer Centres, Jubilee Hills. Additionally, the hospital has extended its support to young girls in orphanages across Hyderabad, ensuring they receive the vaccine at no cost.

Speaking about this crucial step in the fight against Cervical Cancer, Dr Vijay Anand Reddy, Director of Apollo Cancer Centres, emphasized the critical role of this initiative. He said, this is a significant step forward in our collective fight against cervical cancer. Through widespread vaccination, we aim to protect future generations and prevent unnecessary suffering.

Dr Vijay Anand Reddy said, we took the initiative to prevent cancer by giving vaccination. Right now there are only two cancers which can be prevented by taking vaccines, the liver cancer and cervical cancer. We are taking the responsibility to initiate the program in the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad for the underprivileged girls in orphanages. On Monday, we vaccinated 150 orphan girls, we will keep the program open till the end of the February month to vaccinate more, he said.

Actress Meenakshi Choudhary said, among women the most common cancers are breast cancer and cervical cancer, most of which can be cured, but lack of awareness about these cancers being treatable is holding women back from leading a healthy lifestyle, that is where Apollo Hospitals, Cure foundation and these caring doctors have been making a huge difference too many a lives.

Globally, cervical cancer has been effectively controlled through the HPV vaccine, India continues to witness high incidence rates despite the availability of this simple preventive measure. Apollo Cancer Centres is determined to bridge this gap by increasing access to the vaccine and spreading awareness.

Dr. Reddy reiterated Apollo Cancer Centres commitment to eliminating cervical cancer as a public health concern, aligning with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) goal to eliminate cervical cancer by 2030. The WHO's strategy calls for 90% of girls to be fully vaccinated with the HPV vaccine by the age of 15, a milestone that Apollo Cancer Centres is dedicated to supporting through this initiative, he adds.