Immunisation is critical in protecting women against vaccine-preventable diseases and thereby helping reduce its burden in India.
The adult vaccine coverage is almost negligible in India and this needs to change.
There is an urgent need to sensitise people and healthcare providers on adult vaccination as these can help save millions of lives in India.
"Dr Nandita Palshetkar, Past President, FOGSI & Immediate Past President, ISAR said, “Lack of dedicated adult vaccination centres is an impending factor.
It is crucial hence to set up dedicated adult vaccination centres that cater to adolescents, adults, and the elderly.
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Mumbai: The Federation of Obstetric and Gynaecological Societies of India (FOGSI) recently unveiled a comprehensive immunisation schedule for women that provides a comprehensive list of essential vaccines that adult women should receive, and the recommended frequency of each vaccine.FOGSI and MSD Pharma have collaborated to raise awareness about women’s immunisation and help prevent vaccine-preventable diseases in women across India. A report highlights that women spend 25 per cent more time in poor health compared to men. Vaccination can help change this and safeguard women from vaccine-preventable diseases, contributing to an improved quality of life.Dr Jaydeep Tank, President, FOGSI said, “The launch of FOGSI’s updated immunisation schedule for women represents a significant milestone in the preventive health for women. This comprehensive resource will provide a clear, actionable roadmap to both women and doctors, resulting into an increased awareness about vaccination. Immunisation is critical in protecting women against vaccine-preventable diseases and thereby helping reduce its burden in India. I firmly believe that this schedule will make a substantial contribution to the overall health and well-being of women in India and benefit the society as a whole.”Dr Hrishikesh Pai, Immediate Past President of FOGSI and currently FIGO Trustee (Asia – Oceania) said, "Vaccination is recommended at different life stages to protect against infectious diseases. The adult vaccine coverage is almost negligible in India and this needs to change. There is an urgent need to sensitise people and healthcare providers on adult vaccination as these can help save millions of lives in India. Initiatives like the immunisation schedule can go a long way in changing the situation and protecting more people in future."Kajal Aggarwal, Actor, expressed, "As a mother, my priority is to always be there for my children. And that can only happen when I prioritise my own health. Women should take proactive steps to protect themselves from preventable diseases like cervical cancer. But the challenge often lies in not knowing where to start. I urge all women, regardless of age or stage in life, to take control of their health and consult their gynaecologist today to learn more about the right vaccines for them."Rehan A Khan, Managing Director, MSD India Region , said, “Managing one’s health can be challenging without proper information, but with tools such as the immunisation calendar, it can be made simpler. We urge all women to consult their healthcare professional to understand the steps they can take to better protect themselves. We strongly believe that efforts like this will contribute significantly to protecting woman in India from vaccine-preventable diseases."Dr Madhuri Patel, Secretary General, FOGSI, said, “The period after birth is a crucial stage in every woman’s life. After birth, a woman’s body undergoes changes in the immune and hormonal system, which increases the risk of infection. For example, 31 per cent of women after birth are at a high risk of an HPV infection. Thus, vaccination plays a crucial role in a new mother’s health. The immunisation schedule specifically highlights vaccinations that are of utmost importance to new mothers ."Dr Rishma Pai, Past President, FOGSI said, “Over two out of three Indian adults are not aware of adult vaccination, many still think that vaccines are only for children. Concerted efforts are therefore required to improve the awareness of public in general and healthcare practitioners regarding vaccine preventable diseases (VPDs) and the benefits of adult vaccination, thus addressing the issue of low vaccine coverage, particularly in women."Dr Nandita Palshetkar, Past President, FOGSI & Immediate Past President, ISAR said, “Lack of dedicated adult vaccination centres is an impending factor. It is crucial hence to set up dedicated adult vaccination centres that cater to adolescents, adults, and the elderly. An effective approach to bridge the gap between the expected and actual rates is to expand the number of vaccine delivery sites equipped with special walk-in service and extended hours."Dr Priya Ganeshkumar, Chairperson, FOGSI Oncology Committee and Co-ordinator, FOGSI Mahila Kavach Kendra said, “Studies have shown that increasing physicians’ knowledge and awareness on vaccines signiaficantly improves vaccination rates. Information, counselling, and non-directed guidance are perhaps amongst the most important motivators for improving vaccine uptake. It’s because of this that FOGSI decided to provide their member gynaecologists the FOGSI Handbook on Prevention & Management of Cervical Cancer and has also recently launched FOGSI FOCUS PLUS on Adult Women Vaccination, which are of immense importance in confidence building amongst the gynaecologists to counsel their patients on the available vaccines and the preventable diseases, including cervical cancer."
