A contentious vaccine that prevents cervical cancer has received a fresh jab from an expert government panel which has questioned both its efficacy and cost. According to Spain-based health institute Institut Catala d'Oncologia (ICO), around1,22,844 cervical cancer cases are diagnosed annually in India. It is the second leading cause of female cancer in India, says ICO. "The vaccine is administered between 9 and 14 years, but cervical cancer strikes women who are above 45. According to Health Ministry data, cancer mortality is less than 60 per cent.

Source: India Today December 18, 2017 16:01 UTC