Thanks, Neil, for pointing out this very disturbing rumour circulating here in rural India: the belief that getting the vaccine destroys girls' reproductive ability.
To give a background,
Here in rural India we have a network of local village women health workers, locally called 'Asha' workers. Each of them is responsible for the health of a cluster of 100+ women. They monitor health and conduct awareness campaigns.
My program on HPV and breast cancer awareness, screening and treatment which works closely with the 'asha' workers, has reached over 20,000 women regarding HPV awareness. Recently, since the central government started the HPV vaccine program, I heard this wrong rumour circulating through one of the health workers: 'Girls who are vaccinated lose the ability to reproduce.' This rumour has fueled vaccine hesitancy among the locals.
After probing it seems this is a baseless somewhat anti-establishment rumour coupled with the fear about vaccines, similar to what we saw with the COVID vaccine.
I believe there is a big gap in knowledge dissemination regarding the vaccine, its benefits and HPV in general.
I would also welcome suggestions to counter this rumor.
Thanks and Regards!
Diya
India
HIFA profile: Diya Banerjee Sur is a Consultant, clinical trial head and patient advocate, at Kolkata Gynaecologial Oncology Trials and Research Group India. I am an Empathy Design Leader in Healthcare and health sciences with more than 25+ years of experience in global institutions like Oracle HSGBU, entrepreneur in Smartnirvana working with healthcare giants like Roche, GSK, AZ, Novartis and presently serving as a consultant in GCIG outfit for a clinical trial KOLGOTRG making lives of women better with a program called The Empathy Study. An advisor in Lancet Commission working on global health policies. Advisory in GCIG OCC, AIIMS Delhi on patient studies. IRB member in TATA MEDICAL CENTER, Kolkata Professional interestes: Mission to spread awareness and screen for HPV in remote villages of India. The mission started in 2023, has gained tremendous momentum, and has reached 1000+ women (https://youtu.be/szQ-q0khSkE?si=XfXcGVMvmiTtEL_e). Interested in policy making, advocacy, and empathy studies. Email address: banerjee.diya AT gmail.com