KATHMANDU, Feb 3: The Family Welfare Division (FWD) has announced that it has completed preparations for the government’s campaign to provide free HPV vaccines against cervical cancer to girls.
The immunization branch of the FWD confirmed that it will administer the vaccine to all girls between the ages of 10 and 14 starting from Tuesday, February 4. It has set up 28,500 vaccination centers across the country, both in schools and outside schools, to deliver the vaccine.
The vaccine will be administered to girls studying in schools both within the schools and at nearby health centers or vaccination centers. According to the branch, 90 percent of the vaccination centers will be located in schools, and 10 percent will be outside.
Dr Gautam explained that the authorities will make provisions for those who miss the vaccine for any reason to visit the relevant centers to receive it. He also mentioned that the team will monitor and track any girls who might have missed the vaccine. "We will ensure that no girl in this age group misses the vaccine," he stated. The vaccine requires only one dose, and those who received the vaccine last year will not need to repeat it.
This year, the Government of Nepal purchased 1.73 million doses of the HPV vaccine through a tender process. The branch confirmed that it has already delivered the vaccine to all the centers. It also completed meetings with the vaccination coordination committees of all districts for the vaccination campaign and provided necessary training to the health workers who will be deployed.
HPV DNA testing proven effective in cervical cancer prevention
The government is administering the Cecolin brand of the HPV vaccine. This year, 1.68 million girls will receive the vaccine. Although the vaccine is being provided free of charge, the government's investment, including the purchase cost, totals Rs 1.3 billion. "Although the vaccine is free for girls, the government has invested over Rs 1 billion. The sole objective is to protect women from cervical cancer," Dr Gautam said.
Dr Gautam explained that the government regularly launches the HPV vaccination campaign to protect the lives of Nepali women, following the annual deaths of many women from cervical cancer in Nepal.
Lung cancer ranks first among cancer-related deaths in Nepal, while cervical cancer ranks second. On average, 1,300 to 1,400 women die each year from cervical cancer in Nepal. Developed countries have been administering the HPV vaccine since 2006. However, due to limited availability and high costs, the Government of Nepal could not provide the vaccine in a timely manner, says Dr Gautam.
In 2016 and 2017, Nepal administered the HPV vaccine to a limited number of girls in Chitwan and Kaski as part of a pilot project. Last year, some districts provided two doses of the vaccine to girls. "Although developed countries started administering the vaccine two decades ago, countries like ours, which are still developing, have only just begun regular vaccination programs," Dr Gautam said.
Dr Gautam explained that while some affluent women in Nepal have accessed the vaccine through the private sector, the majority of women have not been able to do so. To address this, the government launched the vaccination program to ensure the vaccine is available to all women. "In the private sector, some women have paid Rs 7,000 to Rs 10,000 to receive the vaccine, but it has not been accessible to all women," he said. "After seeing many deaths from cervical cancer each year, the government resolved to include the HPV vaccine in the regular vaccination program, even at a high cost."
Dr Gautam explained that the Prime Minister and the Minister of Health and Population's interest made it possible to purchase the vaccine on time this year. He also highlighted that Nepal is the first developing country to provide the HPV vaccine regularly for cervical cancer prevention. "Even affluent countries have not managed to establish regular HPV vaccination programs," he said.
Dr Gautam pointed out that the vaccine, which will be administered starting from February 4, has received approval from the Department of Drug Administration and other relevant authorities. It is recognized by the WHO and has already been used in many countries. He encouraged adolescent girls in this age group to confidently receive the vaccine. "The vaccine has no adverse effects on health, so please get vaccinated with confidence," he urged.
"Do not be swayed by the rumors"
Dr Gautam
The government is providing the HPV vaccine to girls aged 10 to 14, and it is completely safe. Although the government is offering the vaccine for free, it has spent billions to purchase it. This vaccine helps prevent cervical cancer.
Without the vaccine, women are at risk of developing cervical cancer. Due to the lack of vaccination, many women die annually in Nepal. For this reason, the government is implementing this costly vaccination program to protect public health.
Since the government decided to provide this vaccine in Nepal, various comments and rumors have circulated. However, the vaccine is safe. Ignore the rumors and get vaccinated. Seven different countries have already used this vaccine, and it has been proven to be safe. Do not avoid the vaccine based on false or misleading information. The National Advisory Committee studied and recommended this vaccine before setting this decision to vaccinate into motion.
