Nepal Gears Up for Second Round of HPV Vaccine to Fight Cervical Cancer

The Ministry of Health and Population is set to initiate the second round of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine in March, targeting girls aged 14 to 15 who received the first dose in September. Under the government’s demonstration program, 9,980 girls from all seven provinces were administered the initial dose from the 20,000 government-purchased vaccine doses.

Dr Abhiyan Gautam, Chief of the Immunisation Section of the Family Welfare Division, stated that the second dose will be administered at the same locations where the initial vaccinations were provided. The HPV vaccine aims to combat the spread of the human papillomavirus, a known cause of cervical cancer, the second-most common cancer in the developing world and a major cause of mortality among Nepali women.

Cervical cancer affects hundreds of women annually in Nepal, with over 700 seeking treatment at the BP Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital in Bharatpur alone. The HPV vaccination initiative aligns with the government’s policies and programmes for the fiscal year 2023-2024.

Experts emphasize that most cervical cancers are linked to HPV, a sexually transmitted infection, and widespread immunisation could significantly reduce the impact of cervical and other HPV-related cancers worldwide. Nations such as Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and the Maldives have implemented nationwide HPV vaccine programs, with India and Indonesia adopting them in select districts.

Nepal initiated HPV vaccine trials in Chitwan and Kaski districts in 2016, targeting all girls aged 11 to 13 with two doses of the vaccine. Health officials revealed plans for a nationwide HPV vaccination drive in the third quarter of 2024, intending to inoculate approximately 1.7 million girls aged 10 to 14. The Global Alliance for Vaccine and Immunisation (GAVI) has committed to providing the vaccine doses for the campaign, with the aim of incorporating the HPV vaccine into the regular immunisation program post-campaign.

The World Health Organisation recommends HPV vaccination as part of a comprehensive strategy to prevent cervical cancer and other diseases caused by the virus. The proactive measures by the Ministry of Health and Population align with global efforts to combat HPV-related diseases and safeguard women’s health.