WHO approves two new HPV vaccines, boosting global fight against cervical cancer

 

KARACHI: The World Health Organisation (WHO) has taken another step forward in the fight against cervical cancer by approving two new human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines, Cecolin and Walrivax, for global marketing. This brings the total number of approved vaccines to five, increasing access to life-saving medications for girls in low- and middle-income countries.

WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasises that cervical cancer can be eliminated, and these new vaccine approvals bring us closer to achieving that goal. Dr Kate O'Brien, Director of the Department of Immunisation, Vaccines and Biologicals at WHO, notes that the addition of Cecoline, a single-dose vaccine, will give countries more options to reach more girls.

However, challenges remain, including global supply shortages since 2018 and recent production challenges that have hindered HPV vaccine introductions, potentially affecting millions of girls in Africa and Asia. The WHO urges continued efforts to address these challenges and ensure widespread access to these vaccines.

Key facts about cervical cancer and HPV vaccines:

- 95% of cervical cancer cases are caused by HPV, resulting in 660,000 new cases annually worldwide.

- 90% of cervical cancer deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries, with 19 of the 20 hardest-hit countries located in Africa.

- The WHO targets 90% of girls fully vaccinated with HPV vaccine by age 15 as part of its global strategy for cervical cancer elimination.

*With input from official sources.

--IV Desk                                                                     https://indusvitals.blogspot.com/2024/09/sindh-moves-to-introduce-hpv-vaccine-to.html

With an uninterrupted 23-year career in daily journalism (1991-2013), the author/editor of this blog currently serves as Editor of Social Track, a weekly newspaper focused on social sectors, based in Karachi. Holding a master's degree in Mass Communications from the University of Karachi (1990), his professional experience includes roles as senior reporter at Daily Dawn, Karachi (May 2001-August 2013) and Chief Reporter at The News International, Karachi (April 1991-May 2001). He has a strong background in development journalism, he has an extensive portfolio of news stories, analytical reports and features covering a wide range of sectors. He has had the privilege of covering numerous high-profile figures, including Pakistani presidents, prime ministers, army chiefs, foreign dignitaries, and VVIPs and attending conferences and workshops abroad. He began his journalism career in the early 1980s. Throughout his career, he has received several national awards from government and private organisations. He has contributed to various radio and TV/channel broadcasts and has also served as a trainer at workshops in Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad, focused on training journalists.

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