HSA to start HPV pilot

| 10/08/2009

(CNS): Minister of Health Mark Scotland has announced that a six month pilot project is being undertaken by the Ministry of Health and the Cayman Islands Cancer Society to provide the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine at no cost to around 150 young women between the ages of 11 and 17 years. The vaccine can protect against some strains of the virus which cause cervical cancer and genital warts.

The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a common virus that can lead to pre-cancerous and cancerous lesions of the cervix, vagina and vulva, as well as genital warts.  The HPV vaccine protects against 2 types of the viruses that cause cervical cancer and 2 types that cause genital warts. Scotland said he encouraged young women and their parents or guardians to take advantage of this immunization programme.

The HPV vaccine will be provided every Wednesday, while supplies last, on a first come first serve basis through the Public Health Clinic at the Cayman Islands Hospital as of August26.  The clinic will run from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m., by appointment only.  Appointments can be made by contacting the Public Health Clinic at 244-2648. Parents or guardians must attend the appointment with their children and give written consent for the vaccine being administered.  

Dr. Sook Yin, Medical Director of the Cayman Islands Cancer Society said it was a milestone in the prevention of cervical cancer in the Cayman Islands.

The HPV vaccine is given as a course of 3 injections administered at set intervals over a 6-month period. The vaccine is of greatest benefit if it is administered before the onset of sexual activity.

A public awareness campaign about cervical cancer and the HPV vaccine will be undertaken by the Cayman Islands Cancer Society and the Public Health Department using a variety of outlets including media interviews, advertisements, public education presentations in schools, to Home School Associations and at specially organized district awareness sessions. Leaflets will also be available at the awareness sessions and from the Cayman Islands Cancer Society on Maple Road, all Health Services Authority facilities, doctor’s offices and libraries.

 

 

 

 

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  1. Anonymous says:

    This is awesome!

    Parents get your girls vaccinated!