Vanuatu advancing HPV vaccination for cervical cancer prevention

Nov 27, 2023 | News | 0

The Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine rollout, crucial for preventing cervical cancer, is deemed safe and ethical, as discussed in a joint consultation by SHEFA Provincial Health and stakeholders at The Grand Hotel on Tuesday.

Public Health Manager of SHEFA Provincial Health, Obed Manwo, explained the importance of the vaccine in preventing cervical cancer among young girls and mothers. He mentioned that the HPV vaccine rollout had been ongoing until 2021 when it was temporarily stopped due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mr. Manwo noted the ongoing vaccination efforts in communities and schools, extending beyond SHEFA to other provinces, including TORBA, MALAMPA, and TAFEA.

The Ministry of Health (MoH) aims to target the age group of 9 to 13 years, with a coverage goal of 90%, aiming to protect them from cervical cancer in their future lives.

“To achieve the 90% coverage of the age category of girls, the health team would also like to conduct screening and tests for mothers aged 30 to 54 to identify those testing positive for Human HPV,” Manwo said. The MoH aims to reach at least 75% of mothers testing positive for HPV, providing vaccines or treatment promptly.

Manwo noted the need for collaboration between various stakeholders, including the Ministry of Education, community leaders, nurses, health service providers, and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs). Their collective efforts are crucial in mobilising communities, informing parents about the risks of HPV, and working towards prevention and treatment.

He acknowledged the importance of addressing cervical cancer collectively, stating, “It is important to work together to address the cervical cancer disease that is among our mothers in Vanuatu.”

In addition to the HPV vaccine, the discussion covered the Mumps, Measles, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine. Manwo clarified that the MMR vaccine includes mumps along with measles and rubella, targeting children aged 0 to 5 years. He outlined the vaccination schedule, with the first dose administered after 12 months and the second after 18 months.

Reflecting on challenges faced during the COVID-19 vaccination, Manwo acknowledged the stigma, panic, and resistance encountered. He mentioned the ministry’s commitment to understanding the roles of vaccines and the importance of stakeholder collaboration in successfully implementing the HPV vaccination in SHEFA.

Conveying gratitude for the stakeholders’ presence, Manwo thanked government agencies, private sectors, and NGOs for their contributions, noting the collaborative effort to address health activities in SHEFA Province and Port Vila.

Vanuatu stands as the first Pacific country with a national strategic plan to eliminate cervical cancer, a milestone Manwo attributed to specialists at the MoH and stakeholders involved in developing the strategy plan.

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