HPV vaccination for girls against cervical cancer

Kathmandu, February 8.   The HPV vaccination against cervical cancer in women will be implemented within Kathmandu Metropolitan City from February 10. The meeting of the local level vaccination coordination committee chaired by acting mayor Sunita Dangol in the metropolis took this decision after discussing the issues related to the vaccination operation. This vaccine will be given to all girl students studying in grade 6 and 10-year-old girls who are out of school.

Similarly, this vaccine will also be given to girl students currently studying in grades 7 to 10 who missed last year's vaccination program and girls aged 11 to 14 who are out of school.

In the meeting, Acting Chief Dangol said that in order to remove cervical cancer from the form of a public health problem, the 3-phase program should be made effective by vaccination, screening and treatment, and said, "Let's conduct a participatory program to meet the government's goal of achieving 90 percent of the target in each of these phases and achieve results."

According to doctors, among the 3-phase measures to prevent cervical cancer, the first measure is for girls aged 10 to 14 to get HPV vaccinated. In the second measure, every woman above the age of 30 should get her cervix tested (screened). In the third, women diagnosed with cervical cancer should get treatment.

According to Health and Education Committee Coordinator Chinikaji Maharjan, "The government has made this program service-oriented. Since there is no need to pay, people have many assumptions and doubts. However, this vaccine is free for girls. How can anyone get it without charging a price?’ He further added, “When people pay for vaccination, consumers do not seem to question its quality. Why is the question of quality complicated when the government provides it for free? The general public should be made aware of this issue.”

The Metropolitan City is running a program by setting up a vaccination center in a school that needs to vaccinate 30 girls. If there are less than 30 students, a joint vaccination center will be operated. According to Deepak Kumar K. C., head of the Health Department, ‘The department has made a detailed plan involving public representatives, health promotion centers and volunteers to cover the target girls.’

According to Dr. Abhiyan Gautam, head of the Family Welfare Division, Child Health and Vaccination Branch, ‘Every year, about 1,313 women in Nepal are diagnosed with cervical cancer. Out of every 6 diagnosed, 3 die.’ According to Dr. Abhiyan Gautam, head of the Family Welfare Division, Child Health and Vaccination Branch, ‘This is recommended by the World Health Organization and is registered with the Department of Medicines Management of Nepal. It is 100% safe.’

The vaccination center, ward clinic and health promotion center will coordinate with the schools to determine the vaccine. According to Maiya Saiju, public health officer and focal person for the vaccination program, the health promotion center will provide the vaccine to the girls who missed the vaccination in school and are out of school on the last day of the program.

Last year, the Metropolitan City gave this type of vaccine to 39,313 girls. 4 women die every day in Nepal due to cervical cancer.

Cervical cancer is the first cause of cancer deaths in women. This cancer is caused by infection with the human papilloma virus. This virus is called HPV. The virus can be transmitted from one person to another during sexual contact with a person infected with the HPV virus. If the infection persists for 20 years, it can lead to cervical cancer.