2023-09-22 10:30:00
National Committee Expedites HPV Vaccine Delivery to Prevent Cervical Cancer
On September 22, the National Communicable Disease Committee agreed on a plan to expedite the delivery of 1 million doses of the HPV vaccine. The goal is to prevent infection with the HPV virus, which is known to cause cervical cancer. This initiative is part of the “Quick Win” policy, which aims to provide comprehensive cancer care within 100 days.
The committee specifically targeted women aged 11-20 years for the HPV vaccination. Studies have shown that if the vaccine is administered before sexual intercourse, it can be up to 90% effective in protecting against HPV infection. Even injections after the age of 11 can still prevent HPV infection.
The meeting was chaired by Dr. Chonnan Srikaew, the Minister of Public Health, and attended by various committee members from related agencies. The committee recognized the importance of addressing cervical cancer as it is the second most common cancer in Thai women after breast cancer. Over the past five years, approximately 6,500 new cases and 2,000 deaths from cervical cancer have been reported annually.
The main cause of cervical cancer is infection with the HPV virus, specifically strains 16 and 18. These strains are responsible for up to 70% of cervical cancer cases. The HPV vaccine has been shown to effectively protect against these strains, especially if administered before sexual activity. By expanding the target group to include women up to 20 years of age, the committee aims to reach those who have not yet received the complete vaccine.
The plan for the first 100 days includes the development of service guidelines, surveys to determine the number of target groups, and the creation of a database system. Collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, Ministry of Labor, Department of Local Administration Promotion, and Bangkok will be established. A kickoff campaign and pilot injection services will be organized nationwide in October, followed by expedited vaccination services from November to December 2023.
Dr. Chonnan also mentioned the committee’s efforts in managing the COVID-19 vaccine in 2024 to reduce severe illness and preserve the country’s public health system. The meeting discussed instructions for COVID-19 vaccination and the current situation of other communicable diseases, including the increasing outbreaks of influenza and monkeypox.
The committee’s actions reflect the government’s commitment to proactive healthcare initiatives and its determination to protect the population from preventable diseases. By expediting the HPV vaccination process, Thailand aims to significantly reduce the incidence of cervical cancer in the coming years.]
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