The interim government on Thursday launched the final phase of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign in Barishal, Chattogram, Khulna, Mymensingh, Rajshahi, Sylhet and Rangpur divisions to protect around 6.2 million girls of Bangladesh aged between 10 years to 14 years from cervical cancer.
The Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI), UNICEF and World Health Organisation (WHO) are giving necessary supports to implement the move of the government, according to a press release of the UNICEF issued on Thursday.
The release stated that this final phase campaign will span for a month building on the success of the first phase of protecting more than 1.5 million girls with HPV vaccine in October 2023 in the Dhaka division.
While speaking in the launching programme, Health Service Division Senior Secretary M A Akmall Hossain Azad stated, "Second highest cancer related deaths among women are caused due to cervical cancer in Bangladesh. The Government successfully vaccinated more than 1.5 million girls with a single dose of the HPV vaccine in the Dhaka division in October 2023."
"From Thursday, HPV vaccines will be provided free of cost in the remaining seven divisions to vaccinate girls studying in class five to nine and girls aged 10-14 years who are out of education institutions. A single dose of HPV vaccine will prevent cervical cancer, protect women's health and help to build a healthy nation," he added.
With Gavi's support, 6.2 million vaccines have been procured in 2024. The vaccines will be available at educational institutions or designated vaccination centers free of cost after registering on the "VaxEPI" app or on the dedicated website. Vaccination sessions will be held regularly from 8am to 3:30pm, except on weekends and public holidays.
"The launch means millions more girls will be protected against cervical cancer in the years to come," said Thabani Maphosa, Chief Country Delivery Officer at GAVI. "Gavi, in partnership with the Government of Bangladesh, is committed to expanding access to this life-saving vaccine, ensuring that women and girls across the country have the opportunity to thrive and lead healthy lives."
