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HPV Vaccination Campaign Launched to Combat Cervical Cancer
A four-week Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign for young girls commenced today across seven divisions in Bangladesh, excluding Dhaka, aiming to prevent cervical cancer.
With support from the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the government targets vaccinating 6,212,532 girls. On the first day alone, over 300,000 girls received the vaccine.
Dr. Rajib Sarkar, Deputy Programme Manager of the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI), emphasized the importance of vaccination, noting that cervical cancer can take 15-20 years to develop after infection, earning it the title of "silent killer." Early vaccination is crucial, as late-stage diagnosis makes recovery challenging.
In 2023, approximately 1.5 million girls in the Dhaka division received their first dose of the HPV vaccine without any reported adverse reactions.
The immunization campaign will last 18 days, with the first 10 days focused on educational institutions and EPI permanent centers. Girls in grades 5-9 will receive the vaccine at schools, while those aged 10-14 without school access can get vaccinated at health centers.
Vaccines will be available at permanent locations (district hospitals, Upazila Health Complexes) and temporary centers in various unions and wards. Additionally, 5-9 grade students who miss their school vaccinations can also receive the vaccine at these sites.
Cervical cancer is the leading cause of cancer among women, ranking as the fourth most common cancer globally and the second most prevalent among women in Bangladesh.