KATHMANDU, Oct 22: The government has announced plans to administer the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, which protects against cervical cancer, to nearly 1.7 million girls and young women this year.
According to the Chief of Immunization Section under the Family Welfare Division Dr Abhiyan Gautam, the nationwide vaccination campaign will be conducted by the third week of Magh (mid-January to mid-February), with a target of vaccinating 1.688 million individuals.
Dr Gautam stated that the HPV vaccine will be provided only to the 1.688 million girls within the 10-14 age group this year. This vaccination campaign will now focus solely on girls aged 10 to 14.
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Dr Gautam stated that the international vaccine organization GAVI has provided the HPV vaccine to Nepal at a very low cost, making it possible to vaccinate all girls in the targeted age group. While last year the HPV vaccine required two doses, this year only one dose will be given, as a single-dose vaccine has been developed.
Dr Gautam said that from next year, the HPV vaccine against cervical cancer will be regular and free just like any other vaccines. "This year, the vaccine is being provided to girls aged 10 to 14 on a large scale," he said.
According to him, campaigns will be launched in different phases to vaccinate all girls within the eligible age group. The plan is to first target girls from grades 6 to 10, and from next year onwards, only girls in grade 6 will be included in the campaign.
Dr Gautam explained that many countries still do not have regular HPV vaccination programs. However, Nepal has been able to access this vaccine easily due to its involvement with GAVI.
He stated that the vaccine became available due to the special campaign of the Nepal government. He added that it would have been extremely expensive if purchased through the usual procurement process.
The cost of the HPV vaccine is Rs 5,500 per dose. GAVI's investment for Nepal amounts to around 0.3 USD per dose. Dr Gautam mentioned that the total investment for the vaccine campaign including this program will be around Rs 2 billion.
Last fiscal year, Nepal government also purchased the HPV vaccine at a high cost and provided it to a limited number of adolescent girls. Dr. Gautam stated that the cervical cancer caused by the HPV is expected to gradually decrease as there is a plan to administer the vaccine to all adolescent girls in Nepal.
