DOH to offer free HPV vaccines to female elementary students

The Department of Health (DOH) will give free vaccinations to combat the spread of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) that causes cervical cancer.

According to a "24 Oras" report by Ian Cruz, cervical cancer is the third leading cancer among women in the Philippines.

Data from the International Agency for Research on Cancer by the World Health Organization said there are 8,549 Filipino women affected by cervical cancer, half of which had died in 2022.

Further studies showed that 95% of cervical cancer cases stemmed from HPV, which was a sexually transmitted infection caused by skin-to-skin contact or intercourse.

To minimize the threats caused by the virus, the DOH recommended HPV vaccines be administered to girls as young as nine years old.

“So bago pa siya maging sexually active, dapat nabibigay na. We estimate that the best time for that is around nine years old. Hindi naman ibig sabihin na hindi siya pwedeng ibigay later in life. Meron din po ‘yun, pero for preventive measures, the best po talaga is that age,” said DOH Assistant Secretary Albert Domingo.

(Before she even becomes sexually active, it should have already been given. We estimate that the best time for that is around 9 years old. It doesn’t mean that you can’t administer it later in life. That can also happen, but for preventative measures, it’s really best to distribute it at that age.)

The DOH is planning a vaccine rollout in partnership with the Department of Education starting in the second quarter of 2025.

“Mahal iyong HPV vaccination. [It costs] P4,000 per dose… Two doses [costs] P8,000 per nine-year-old girl. Pinondohan na ako ni President for 2025. For 2025, we can vaccinate all Filipina girls and ang effect niyan, mawawala ang cervical cancer,” said DOH Secretary Teodoro Herbosa.

(HPV vaccination is expensive. [It costs] P4,000 per dose… Two doses [costs] P8,000 per nine-year-old girl. We have been funded by the President for 2025. For 2025, we can vaccinate all Filipina girls, and the effect of that is the eradication of cervical cancer.)

As of January 6, over half a million Grade 4 students have already been given the first dose of the HPV vaccine through a school-based immunization program.

The DOH is targeting vaccination of more than one million Grade 4 students in public schools, and more students in private schools.

The vaccine is free for both doses, which should have a six-month gap.

“Ito po ay magkakaroon siguro ng konting pamamanhid. May konting pagkabugbog pagka bagong bigay, pero hindi naman po yan tumatagal. Pag nabigyan din ng yelo or cold compress, nawawala rin po yan. May mga side effects na very minor and very mild. Some patients will get a fever, pero beyond that wala naman tayong naitatalang serious side-effects pagdating dito sa bakunang ito,” said Domingo.

(There would be slight numbness. There would be a bruised feeling once it’s administered, but it won’t last long. Once she has been given ice or a cold compress, it disappears. The side effects are very minor and very mild. Some patients will get a fever, but beyond that, we haven’t recorded any serious side effects from this vaccine.)

Meanwhile, the DOH is also looking into HPV immunization for men.

“Kapag ang lalaki ay nabigyan ng bakuna nito, hindi na rin sya madadapuan ng Human Papillomavirus or HPV. Kung di siya madadapuan ng HPV sa kanyang future na magiging mapapangasawa o makakasama na kababaihan, hindi na niya maipapasa ang virus na ito at hindi na magkakaroon ng cervical cancer,” said Domingo.

(When a man is given this vaccine, he won’t be infected by the Human Papillomavirus, he won't be able to infect his partner). —Jiselle Anne Casucian/LDF, GMA Integrated News