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Official Publication of the Philippine Information Agency Bicol Regional Office, in cooperation with the RIAC-REDIRAS - RDC Bicol



Monday, August 10, 2015

Girls get free vaccine vs cervical cancer

By Ana-Liza  S. Macatangay

NAGA CITY, Aug. 10 (PIA)—To help slash the number of cervical cancer deaths every year, the Department of Health has rolled out the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination program among young girls with parental consent in the 20 poorest provinces in the country.

The program was introduced among Grade 4 female students along with the launch of school-based immunization against measles, diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis last Aug. 3 in Camarines Sur.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government and local governments are part of the program.

During the launch at Camarines Sur National High School, girls aged 8-9 availed of the free cervical cancer shots, which the World Health Organization had described as “highly efficacious” in preventing infection responsible for roughly 70 percent of cervical cancer cases globally.

In her keynote address, Camarines Sur 3rd District Rep. Leni Robredo appealed to young women to avail themselves of this free service so they “can prevent cervical cancer.”

Robredo noted that at least 12 Filipino women die of cervical cancer every year.

But, Robredo said, a single dose of the HPV vaccine from DOH and DILG may be enough to ward off cervical cancer. Next to breast cancer, cervical cancer is the top cancer killer among Filipino women.
“Through the immunization program, young women with consent from their parents can now be vaccinated for free against HPV, the main cause of cervical cancer.  We, as public officials, cannot sit by doing nothing.  With a stronger school-based and community immunization system, we are doing something innovative, timely and crucial in promoting public health,” Robredo said.

Health Secretary Janette Garin stressed that only students with parental or guardian consent will receive the vaccine.

She appealed to the community to support the program.

Garin said cervical cancer can be treated and cured if detected early through screening.

Women who wish to avail themselves of free cervical cancer screening in Camarines Sur are adviced to visit the Rural Health Units (RHU) in Camaligan (2 RHUs) , Ocampo (2), Bombon (2), Calabanga (2), Pili (2), Naga (3 ) and Canaman (3). (EAD/LSM/PIA5/Camarines Sur)

- See more at: http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/861438853619/girls-get-free-vaccine-vs-cervical-cancer#sthash.JOsUEH7h.dpuf

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