Medical societies and health advocates are urging authorities to bring back the school-based immunization program (SBIP) for girls aged nine to 14 for HPV vaccination.
Cervical cancer remains as one of the most pressing health issues in the Philippines that affects 12 women per day.
In a recent media forum titled “Isang Boses Laban sa Cervical Cancer,” Philippine Foundation for Vaccination executive director Dr. Lulu Bravo said that the reinstatement of the SBIP against cervical cancer will help meet the World Health Organization’s (WHO) advised 90% coverage target.
“We advocate for a coordinated national and local effort to prevent cervical cancer through vaccination, screening, and improved treatment access,” Dr. Bravo noted.
Echoing this, Dr. Orlaud Tantengco noted how many parents remain unaware of the critical role of vaccination against the said disease, emphasizing the need for comprehensive education about HPV and cervical cancer.
“HPV viruses can be categorized into different types, much like a family tree. HPV 16 and 18 are among the more aggressive strains, classified as high-risk types because they are more likely to lead to cervical cancer. However, our study in showed that HPV 52 was the most prevalent genotype,” Dr. Tantengco said.
While the HPV vaccine has been available since 2006 and was introduced in the public sector in 2014, Dr. Ingrid Magnata, country program manager at Jhpiego, said that the government should aim for protection against a wider array of genotypes.
Dr. Bravo seconded this, adding that apart from advocating the use of a cost-effective HPV vaccine that targets the prevalent and emerging types, authorities should also focus on catch-up vaccinations for girls who missed previous doses.
Other medical professionals joining the collaborative movement to bring back SBIP against HPV include , Dr. Mildred Manalac-Mariano from the Philippine Medical Association (PMA), Dr. Martha Millar-Aquino of the Philippine Infectious Disease Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology (PIDSOG), Dr. Kristine Bajandi, Philippine Society for Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (PSMID), Dr. Deborah Red from the Society of Adolescent Medicine of the Philippines (SAMPI) and Philippine Society of Adolescent Medicine Specialists (PSAMS), Dr. Therese Mallen of the Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology Society of the Philippines (PAGSPHIL), Dr. Joan Millonado from the Philippine Ambulatory Pediatric Association (PAPA), and Dr. Margaret Alfonso also from PAPA.
