Wider HPV vaccine coverage pushed

MEDICAL experts said a more extensive human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination could eradicate cervical cancer and other HPV-related diseases in the Philippines. "The benefit of vaccination is greater than the risk," Philippine Foundation for Vaccination President Dr. Rose Capeding told The Manila Times. Data showed the prevalence of cervical cancer in the country, with 15 per 100,000 women being afflicted with the disease and claiming the lives of 12 every day. The Philippines was the last among lower middle-income countries when it comes to HPV vaccination, with only 33 percent vaccine coverage for girls, and a screening rate of less than 1 percent for women. Philippine Infectious Diseases Society for Obstetrics and Gynecology Vice President Dr. Martha Millar-Aquino said the low vaccination numbers were due to the fact that HPV vaccines were not characterized by regular intervals, unlike those administered to children. "Many think that just because the virus is sexually transmitted, they do not want to get vaccinated later in life," Aquino said. She warned that cervical cancer can afflict women with single sexual partners, as well as men, as it can lead to cancers in the head, neck and nether regions in the body. "We want to emphasize that there are 12 women who die of cancer every day.... Everyone of us who has a friend, a family member or a co-worker that has suffered with cervical cancer. It is a vaccine-preventable disease," Capeding said. The Department of Health said it was considering the inclusion of children ages 9-12 in HPV vaccination. The Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines issued a letter urging its members to complete the required immunizations for students against HPV.