Papua New Guinea launches anti-cervical cancer vaccination for girls
By Diana G. Mendoza
Papua New Guinea has introduced the human papillomavirus vaccination into its national immunization program, taking a major step towards protecting future generations of girls and women from cervical cancer, currently the leading cause of cancer deaths among women in the country.
“Cervical cancer is taking too many women from their families and communities. Today’s launch begins the work of making this protection available to girls across Papua New Guinea," said Dr. Billy Joseph, heakth minister, said during the HPV vaccine launch on Sept. 8.
“We will start in the National Capital District and Central Province, review the data and service quality, learn from delivery and strengthen the program as it expands.”
The launch, attended by students, teachers, health workers, faith and community leaders and partners at New Erima Primary School in Port Moresby, trained health workers who vaccinated eligible girls aged nine-14 with the first doses.
The vaccination program’s first phase expects to reach about 60,000 eligible girls. Apart from school-based vaccination, the PNG government will implement the program in health facilities and community outreach to ensure broader and equitable access, so that girls who are out of school or live far from services are not left behind.
Dr. Rajendra-Prasad Yadav, World Health Organization's representative to PNG, said HPV vaccination has been proven successful in protecting girls against cervical cancer later in life.
"Combined with screening and treatment, high vaccination coverage can put the country on the path towards eventually eliminating cervical cancer as a public health problem," Yadav said.
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The WHO Western Pacific Regional Office said cervical cancer, which is preventable, remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths for women in PNG, with over 1,000 women diagnosed and 650 deaths annually.
More than 95 percent of cervical cancer is caused by HPV. Vaccinating girls before exposure to the virus can protect them against HPV strains responsible for up to 90 percent of cervical cancer cases.
Secretary Pascoe Kase of the National Department of Health said the campaign is “an investment in the health of the next generation of PNG women.”
“For the first time, girls in PNG will have access to a vaccine that can protect them from cervical cancer later in life. Our job now is to make sure that protection reaches every eligible girl, including those who are not in school or live far from health services.”
The WHO said that since schools are the main delivery channel, government-led preparedness and response are essential to keep them open, as El Niño is projected to place further pressure on water supplies across PNG.
“Severe shortages could disrupt learning and force schools to close. Safe water provides a healthy learning environment and reduces the spread of disease. This factor is especially important for girls, enabling them to manage menstruation with dignity, attend school and access vaccination,” the WHO noted.
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The HPV vaccine is recommended by the WHO. Beginning in 2006, more than 162 countries worldwide have introduced national HPV vaccination programs, helping to protect 95 million girls in lower- and middle-income countries alone, and averted an estimated 1.9 million future deaths from cervical cancer.
The Australian government, the Vaccine Alliance, the WHO and UNICEF provide support to the PNG vaccination program that is led by the National Department of Health, in collaboration with the National Department of Education and provincial health authorities. Schools, churches, health workers, community leaders and families will help the program reach girls across the targeted provinces.
The PNG government assured sustained leadership, investment, reliable vaccine supplies, cold-chain systems, trained health workers, effective delivery, and trusted information, as it encouraged parents and caregivers to follow information from schools, health facilities and outreach teams, ask trained health workers if they have questions and concerns, and make sure eligible girls are vaccinated when services reach their communities.
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