CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA) — Human Papillomavirus (HPV) can affect anyone, so the Department of Health (DOH)-10 began providing HPV vaccines to girls as young as 9 through a school-based immunization program in public schools starting this October.
“Recommended age 9 to 14 kana nga aged group mao na ang considered nga wala pa sila ma-exposed to sexual activity or mga sexual interaction or dili pa sila active meaning naa na gyud sila’y protection dayon kung matagaan sila ani nga bakuna,” said Dr. Vaniza Bagolbol, medical officer of the DOH-10 Non Communicable Diseases Cluster, said in Talakayan sa PIA: Konsultayo Series, media forum at SM City CDO Uptown.
(The recommended age range is 9 to 14, as this is the age group that has not yet experienced sexual activity or interactions, and if they receive this vaccine, they will experience immediate protection.)
“Mga girls, gi-prioritize nato ang mga babae nga aged 9 years old (The girls, we prioritize school-aged 9-year-old girls),” Dr. Bagolbol said; however, they have counseling sessions prior to vaccination.
“Ipasabot gyud sa mga ginikanan pud para matugutan nila ilang anak kung unsa gyud ning HPV kay basin naa silay lain nga pagkasabot ba. Ma-mix nila with HIV mao gyud na ang common nga misinterpretation sa HPV,” the doctor said.
(Explain to the parents so that they can allow their child to get the HPV vaccine because they might have a different understanding, mixing it with HIV, which is the common misinterpretation of HPV.)
HPV infections could lead to cervical cancer for women.
The initiative is coming from the World Health Organization (WHO) to eliminate cervical cancer. Cervical cancer ranks second in cancers among women in the Philippines and the second most common cancer in women between the ages of 15 and 44 (DOH, May 2023).
Primary prevention is through vaccination, and secondary prevention is through screening and early detection, Bagolbol said.
The doctor stated that 898,276 women in the region, aged 30 to 65, still require HPV screening. (JMOR/PIA-10)
