The Department of Health (DOH) said that it is considering the inclusion of private schools in the expansion of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination among learners aged 9-14years old.
The statement comes after the Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP) issued a letter to its members to ensure the completeness of required immunizations for students against HPV, which prevents cervical cancer.
It noted that cervical cancer claims the lives of 12 Filipina women every day and is the second leading cause of cancer and the third leading cause of death from cancer among Filipinas, while for males, HPV is an established cause of cancer in the head and neck.
Under the DOH omnibus health guidelines, elementary students are encouraged to be vaccinated against HPV for children ages 9-14 years old, as well as measles-rubella and Tetanus-diphtheria for Grade 1 and Grade 7 students.
However, the current design of the country’s national immunization program only prioritizes allocation for students enrolled in public schools due to limited resources.
According to the DOH, the school-based immunization program will be “primarily be held in public schools” to ensure equitable access for target female students, but it plans to expand its implementation to include private schools for target students.
“The HPV vaccine is a critical tool in the fight against cervical cancer, as it significantly reduces the risk of infection with human papillomavirus (HPV), which is the leading cause of cervical cancer. By advocating for widespread vaccination, we are taking a proactive step towards safeguarding the health of our youth and reducing the incidence of this preventable disease,” the health agency said.
“The DOH is also committed to working with various stakeholders to further increase HPV vaccination coverage and ensure that all target students have access to the HPV vaccine,” it added.
The CEAP urged its member institutions to actively promote and facilitate vaccination for eligible students, particularly HPV vaccination, in accordance with government health guidelines.
“Virtually, as all cervical cancer cases are attributable to infection with human papillomavirus (HPV), our collective action with the government can contribute to the achievement of Cervical Cancer Elimination strategy as endorsed by the World Health Organization (WHO) through HPV vaccination,” the CEAP said.
“This proactive approach will contribute to the overall health and protection of our student body,” it added.
While the CEAP is pushing for the inclusion of boys in the HPV vaccination efforts, the DOH said that the global supply of HPV vaccines is constrained to meet demand due to limited production and high costs.
“As a result, the DOH prioritizes providing the HPV vaccine to young adolescent girls. This strategy aims to reach this population comprehensively, as the vaccine is highly effective in this group, thereby offering strong protection against cervical cancer,” it said.
