Cervical cancer vaccination kicks off in Edea, Foumban

The demonstration project will take place as early as Tuesday in the health districts of Edea and Foumban. Each year 1,000 to 1,200 new cases of cancer of the cervix are recorded in Cameroon.

And it is for this reason that this disease is the second most common cancer in women. In the coming decades if nothing is done, this figure could double because more than 80% of sick women visit hospitals when the disease is at an advanced stage.

Therefore to remedy this situation the Cameroonian Government plans as early as Tuesday to vaccinate more than 15,000 girls aged 9-13 years in the health districts of Edea and Foumban.

It is part of a demonstration project under the patronage of the Cameroonian first lady, Chantal Biya. This will be carried out thanks to the financial support of the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI).

More than 99% of the cases of cancer of the cervix are linked to infection with a virus called: Human Papillomavirus (HPV). This infection which is one of the sexually transmitted infections STIs, affects women who have been engaged in early sex. But nowadays, thanks to vaccination, HPV infection is preventable.

So therefore, vaccination of young girls against the virus before the first sexual intercourse effectively prevents infection. Several countries have already experienced it, like the United States, Japan, Australia, Rwanda, Senegal, etc.

The objective of the project is to administer two doses of vaccine to at least 80% of this target from today.

On this occasion, campaigns will be also organized for free screening for cancers of the cervix of the uterus and breast with previously trained personnel. If Cameroon succeeds in vaccinating at least 50% of the target, he may obtain support from GAVI to extend vaccination throughout the territory.

It should be noted that between 2010 and 2012, the Ministry of public health, in partnership with Cameroon Baptist Convention Health Board vaccinated 6,800 girls 9 to 13 years against HPV in the Central, Northwest and southwest regions. To achieve the objective, the Government called for the social mobilization in favour of vaccination against HPV.