New HPV vaccine – Ministry of Health targets girls entering high schools | Stories of lead



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Ministry of Health officials will attend orientation ceremonies at the island's high schools to vaccinate more girls against human papillomavirus (HPV) after a slow start of the program. Last year.

The National HPV Program was introduced last October with the goal of protecting approximately 22,338 seventh-grade girls against cervical cancer by administering them two doses of vaccine spaced at least six months.

Dr. Melody Ennis, said The Sunday Gleaner that only 7,188 girls received the first dose of the vaccine between October and December 2017, and only 4,868 of the targeted population received the second dose since they started administering it in April "We continue to vaccinate for the second dose," said Ennis, adding that "there are several reasons, including absenteeism, transfers , the migration that will reduce the number of Ennis said that in addition to attending orientation sessions, health officials will also offer the vaccine in health centers so that girls can receive as part of their medical examinations.

"The seventh grade students, starting in September, will have an orientation calendar, so our team will be present to raise awareness, to give as much information as possible, and if parents are d & # 3 9; agreement, we will give the She added that the ministry continues to organize sensitization sessions with parents and students, as well as to attend meetings of parents 'and parents' badociations. Teachers to educate people about the importance of the vaccine

. "We have prepared some testimonials that will be released shortly and we are looking to launch our media campaign in a short time," said Ennis

"We encourage parents to get as much information about the vaccine as possible. their decisions can be informed and in the best interest of the child, "added Ennis.

The Ministry of Health has so far spent more than $ 70 million for the implementation of the national HPV program, and despite widespread skepticism, Ennis said parents should not not to worry. 19659002] "We are creating our own statistics here in Jamaica, we have vaccinated more than 7000 girls and we have had no negative effect of the vaccine so far," she said.

"We must put everything on the bridge We must recognize that cervical cancer kills and that it also limits the productivity of the person, it is a very painful disease" , said Ennis

. The Organization and the World Health Organization pointed out that they said to be convincing scientific evidence that vaccines work, and argued that "with the HPV vaccine, uterine cervix cancer may be a thing of the past

. Lucia Helena de Oliveira, PAHO's Regional Advisor on New Vaccines, argued that vaccinating an estimated 33 million girls in the Americas by the end of 2016 would prevent more than 307,000 cases of this disease. virus and 133 000 deaths cervical cancer in the future.

Thirty-two countries in the region are currently vaccinating against HPV, which is directly responsible for seven out of ten cases of cervical cancer. "In developing countries, many women are discovering too late that they have HPV, usually when they seek treatment for bad warts, precancerous lesions or other serial problems." That's why a cervical cancer prevention program that includes universal HPV vaccination for girls, as well as screening and treatment services for those who need it, could put an end to cancer

They argued that "girls aged nine to 14 years should be vaccinated with two doses of HPV vaccine administered between six and fifteen months apart. HPV vaccines given to this age group are more effective and girls have a better immune response.

"Vaccinating girls today is the only way to ensure a happy and prosperous future for them , at with less severe cancer

More than 270 million doses of the HPV vaccine have been used worldwide since the vaccine was licensed.

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