Antigua to introduce controversial HPV vaccine next month

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Antigua and Barbuda health authorities say they have formulated a special task force to introduce the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine here on July 1, this year.

“This lifesaving preventative measure will be effective in reducing the deaths from HPV related cancers especially cervical cancer and other diseases,” said consultant pediatrician, Dr. Joycelyn Walter-Thomas.

The Cervical Cancer Task Force has also developed a plan of action for prevention and control of what is described as a “deadly disease” by focusing on four main areas: increasing information, education and communication; expanding screening programmes; introduction of the HPV vaccination; and improve access to cancer treatment and palliative care.

Speaking at the “Fight Against Cancers in Antigua and Barbuda” stakeholders meeting on Thursday, she said boys and girls from the ages of nine to 13 are being targeted as the priority group for this initiative.

“The ministry was taking the position that the best approach to life course preventative interventions has to be holistic from birth to adult,” she said.

Health officials said the HPV vaccine, Gardasil 4, is designed to provide immunity against low-risk type HPV 6 and HPV 11, which cause 90 per cent of genital warts, and high-risk type HPV 16 and HPV 18 which cause 70 percent of HPV-related cancer in women and 90 per cent of HPV-related cancer in men.

“The vaccine is shown to be very safe and tested on more than 20,000 females in 33 countries and 4,000 males in 18 countries before it was approved for use,” Dr. Walter-Thomas said.

The authorities said that receiving the vaccine is optional and will be delivered through a community-based approach and free of cost to parents at the clinics and as well as private offices.

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3 COMMENTS

  1. People people …..b4 you have your self and daughter get injected go on the.net and see how many girls have DIED…

  2. will/has Dr. Walter-Thomas taken/be taking the vaccine herself? What about Dr. Rhonda Sealey-Thomas? Has she already taken the vaccine too? I would like to hear their personal testimonies before encouraging the public to undertake this venture.

  3. What is wrong with these people?Wll its optional so i dont have to argue with them……..

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