By Seleoe Nonyane
The ministry of health has joined the world in fighting cervical cancer by introducing the human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine in Butha-Buthe on Monday this week.
This is a campaign in which girls aged nine to 14 years are being injected with the HPV vaccine.
According to the International Cancer Research Agency (ICRA), HPV is a common virus that is passed from one person to another during sexual intercourse.
“At least half of sexually active people will have HPV at some point in their lives but, few women will get cervical cancer. Almost all cervical cancers are caused by HPV. Some HPV types can cause changes on a woman’s cervix that can lead to cervical cancer over time.
Therefore, getting vaccinated early for cervical cancer and having regular screening tests can help reduce the risk of contracting cervical cancer,” the ICRA said in its website.
The HPV vaccine protects against the types of HPV that most often cause cervical, vaginal and vulvar cancers. The HPV vaccination is recommended for preteens aged 11- 12 years but can be given to nine-year-olds.
The agency has said if vaccination is started before age 15, a two dose schedule is recommended with the doses given six to 12 months apart.
The HPV prevents new HPV infections but does not treat existing infections. This is why the HPV vaccine work best when given before any exposure to HPV.
The ministry of health’s cancer and palliative care advocate Sejojo Pharoe, told theReporter that the main reason the vaccine is eligible for nine to 14 year-olds is “because girls between these ages have not yet engaged in sexual activities.”
He observed: “Girls between these ages do not participate in sexual activities hence the eligibility of the HPV vaccine. Therefore, the vaccination helps curb the risk of contracting cervical cancer at an early stage.
“The HPV vaccine creates cells which helps clear away the HPV should by any chance the girl engaged in sex. Therefore, it is crucial for girls between these ages to vaccinate as this vaccination will help them in the long run.”
He stated that because of cost implications HPV vaccine is only effective to women who have not engaged in sex hence the age preference. But, for those who already participate in sexual activities, there are other alternatives to help reduce the risk of contracting cervical cancer, he added.
“Older women have other methods in which they can reduce their risk of contracting cervical cancer which is to doing tests. They can have a Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid (VIA) test or a pap test usually known as pap smear,” he noted.
Some of the parents seemed to understand why a girl child needs to take the vaccine as some of them are seen signing consent forms allowing their children to get vaccinated with the HPV vaccine.
‘Matšita Molete, a teacher and a parent to a 10 year-old girl said her child will be vaccinated to prevent cervical cancer infection. She applauded the ministry for running the campaign, hoping that every parent with a girl child between the stipulated age need to be injected with the HPV vaccine.
“I have a 10 year-old daughter that I will make sure she gets the vaccine in order to reduce the risk of contracting cervical cancer which, I have learned that it is common in the country and also taking a lot of lives.
“Therefore, I will protect my daughter at any cost that is why I have signed the consent form from her school giving permission for her to be vaccinated.
“I also understand that there are also parents who are hesitant in signing the consent form. I would like to encourage them as this will help protect their daughters from this deadly disease. Signing the consent form is one other way of proving their love to their daughter,” Molete said.
Also, a mother of three – two girls and a boy – Mathaha Lefeta of Lithabaneng in Maseru, said she was throwing her support to the health ministry for undertaking the exercise.
Both her daughters are eligible for the vaccine.
“I would like to commend the ministry of health for this great initiative and I hope for it to be a success. I also wish I would have had such a vaccine during my childhood. I think we would not have lost so many lives to cervical cancer. But I am glad this vaccine is here and is going to help save our daughters’ live,” Lefeta admitted.
The ministry of health’s public relations officer, ‘Mateboho Mosebekoa, suggested that HPV vaccination was initiated “because of a high incidence of cervical cancer cases in the country.”
Planned to run until May 22, the campaign began on April 25.
“The target is to vaccinate all girls from nine to 14 years in and out of schools and I wish the ministry reaches this target by May.
“The response is good looking at the few number of days since launching the campaign and parents do understand the importance of this invention of the ministry of health as they sensitized prior the campaign,” she explained.
The number of those who got their doses is yet not known as the ministry is yet to compile the statistics.
The minister of health Semano Sekatle threw his weight behind the injection and urged girls and their parents to take advantage of the opportunity and be vaccinated in order to protect them from cervical cancer.
