DoH begins HPV vax in Cagayan Valley schools
TUGUEGARAO CITY: In a move to halt cervical cancer cases, Health Undersecretary Enrique “Eric” Tayag led the DoH and other stakeholders in launching the HPV vaccination and information campaign titled “Sa HPV vaccine, cervical cancer-free ang future natin!” with about 700 participants at the Mamba Gym in this city on Friday, February 17. The school-based immunization program would protect learners against human papilloma virus
(HPV) infection, Tayag added, as
“cervical cancer is still the second most common cancer affecting women, with an estimated 7,277 new cases and 3,807 deaths due to cervical cancer expected yearly in the country.”
For the academic year 2022 to 2023, the Health department has secured 1.2 million doses of
HPV vaccines, which will benefit
600,000 students nationwide. For
Cagayan Valley alone, the DoH has procured 50,000 doses of HPV vaccines, which will immunize
25,000 students in the region.
Tayag also led the vaccination of 150 students of the Cagayan
National High School with HPV vaccines, which was pushed for a community-based HPV immunization program that targeted girls ages 9 to 10. He also led the DoH’s vaccination jingle through dancing.
Tayag cited that almost 99 percent of cervical cancer cases have been linked to infection with high-risk HPVs, a common virus primarily transmitted through sexual contact. While 90 percent of HPV infections have no symptoms and clear up eventually, persistent HPV infections can cause cervical cancer in women.
“While these statistics are alarming, there is still hope: cervical cancer is also one of the most vaccine-preventable diseases in the world. And if the world aims to eliminate cervical cancer by 2030, all countries must work together to fully vaccinate 90 percent of girls against HPV before age 15. Enforcing school-based immunization programs will help countries meet this global goal,” he added.
A learner will receive the vaccine twice, this February and then in September, for the 150 initial vaccinated students. “Kalasag ng Kalusugan,” which translates to “health shield,” reflects the collective commitment of the local and the national government to strengthen public health through immunization.
Cervical cancer is still the fourth most common cancer affecting women globally, according to the World Health Organization. Between 2018 and 2030, the WHO projects that new cervical cancer cases will increase from 570,000 to 700,000 annually, with the number of deaths rising from 311,000 to 400,000 annually.
In the Philippines, fewer than one in 10 girls targeted for HPV immunization have received their complete HPV vaccination doses, according to the WHO. By driving concerted action across the pillars of HPV immunization, screening, and treatment, the Philippines could eliminate cervical cancer by 2064.
In the multistakeholder collaboration with the Education department, MSD-Philippines, the City Government of Tuguegarao, and the Provincial Government of Cagayan, Education City Superintendent Reynante Caliguiran said the event aligns with DepEd Memorandum 173 or the “Inclusion of the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) Vaccination in School-Based Immunization Program (SBIP).” The SBIP is an intervention to protect schoolaged children against vaccinepreventable diseases. Protecting learners against HPV infection with school-based immunization.
“With the return to face-to-face classes nationwide, it is both timely and prudent to reinstate the school-based HPV vaccination program to safeguard students from HPV infection and reduce their risks for cervical cancer and other diseases caused by HPV,” he added.
Mayor Maila Ting-Que said the city government would regularly promote immunization in villages and schools in support of the DoH’s program aside from setting funds to help the national government in its vaccination drive.