HPV vaccination initiatives require boost from LGU, says expert

A health expert said that the local government units (LGUs) must strengthen their initiatives on Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination to reduce cervical cancer cases in the Philippines.

“The national government has rolled out the vaccines to the local government units, so the local government units should just make it more available,” General Obstetrician-Gynecologist (OB-GYN) Ada Angela A. Cabrera told BusinessWorld in an interview.

“Let’s start the protection among children so that when they grow up, they won’t have this HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) infection or cervical cancer in the long run,” she added.

Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among Filipinas, followed by breast cancer, according to the Health department. The World Health Organization (WHO) said the persistent infection with HPV causes the disease.

While cervical cancer is largely preventable through HPV vaccination, many still face fatal conditions due to a lack of preventive measures. The Philippine Cancer Society said that about 7,897 Filipinas are diagnosed annually, while 12 die of the disease daily.

“So far, those women who die of cervical cancer, when you look back at their records, they were not vaccinated,” Ms. Cabrera said. “The vaccine really boasts of close to 100% prevention if we can only vaccinate everybody.”

Children aged nine to 14 years require two doses of the vaccine to achieve lifetime protection against the deadly disease. Meanwhile, those aged 15 and above must have three doses.

Ms. Cabrera noted that the HPV immunization rate locally has remained below 50%, well below the global target of 90%, due to stigma and high cost.

“I think, to be honest, we’re still below 50%. I doubt if 50% of young children being born are vaccinated by the time they’re nine to 14 years old,” she said.

“Most women don’t really get their check-ups just to be checked for HPV alone because we all know it’s a sexually transmitted infection,” she added. “They fear finding out if there’s anything wrong with them, being judged by other people, and the cost of vaccination.”

Among the recommendations to empower more women to get vaccinated is the regular community-based roundtable discussion hosted by LGUs.

“I think an open discussion amongst each other will make people more willing or less fearful to discuss their questions or concerns, and then the stigma will be gone,” Ms. Cabrera said.

“Because some of these occurrences really happen, we should be able to talk about them,” she added. “Be empowered and be proactive about preventing what can happen after intercourse, and let’s not correct a mistake with another mistake.”

The WHO Global strategy identified its “90-70-90” targets by 2030, focusing on 90% HPV vaccination, 70% screening, and 90% treatment, to achieve annual cervical cancer cases of 4 or fewer per 100,000 women. — Almira Louise S. Martinez