Girls aged 10-17 will be promoted against cervical cancer in an HPV (Human Papollomavirus) vaccination campaign running in schools across the country in September 2023.
(KPL) Girls aged 10-17 will be vaccinated against cervical cancer in an HPV (Human Papollomavirus) vaccination campaign running in schools across the country in September 2023.
A media sensitization meeting on national school-based HPV and Covid-19 vaccination campaign was held on August 8, in Vientiane. The meeting was presided by the Head of the Mother and Child Health Centre Bandith Soumphonphakdy and co-chaired by Chief of Health, UNICEF Lao PDR Mohammed Yunus. Representatives from the Ministry of Education and Sports, media and relevant sectors.
Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women in Laos and 99.7% of all cervical cancers are caused by HPV.
To address the issue, the government of Laos with WHO and UNICEF support, launched a nationwide HPV vaccination campaign in 2020. Progress has been significant, with more than 90% of 12-16 year-olds women in Laos having had at least one dose of the HPV vaccine.
“This campaign is a milestone in improving the health of girls and young women in Laos, said Dr Bandith Soumphonphakdy Head of the Mother and Child Health Centre, Ministry of Health at the launch event. “HPV vaccines prevent cervical cancer and I am proud to see how Lao parents, girls, and young women have embraced HPV vaccination over the past three years.
HPV vaccines are games changer for the lives of many Lao girls. The HPV vaccine is free for all eligible girls from 10-17 years old and is proven to protect them from potentially deadly cervical cancer,” said Souliya Channavong, WHO Lao PDR’s acting vaccine team leader.
“Girls from 10-17 years old need two doses to be fully vaccinated with HPV vaccines.These vaccines are safe and effective and can also be taken along with COVID-19 vaccines,” said Dr. Mohammed Yunus, Chief of Health, UNICEF Lao PDR.
The HPV vaccination will be delivered in schools and health centres across the country and will be offered to girls aged 10-17 years old, regardless of whether they are enrolled in school or not. The vaccines are funded by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance and the Government of the Lao PDR. WHO, UNICEF and partners are supporting the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education and Sports with administrating HPV vaccination.
Through HPV vaccination, the Government of the Lao PDR is helping protect the next generation of adolescents and girls against cervical cancer.
Source: Lao News Agency