By Clarity Sibanda-Own Correspondent
The Human Papilloma Virus vaccine has been slated for May the 19th 2014, in which 4 441 girls aged 10 years old and residing in Zimbabwe‘s two districts, Marondera and Beitbridge will spearhead this cancer prevention program.
The Director of Epidemiology and Disease Control in the Ministry of Health and Child Care, Dr Portia Manangazira told participants during an interactive dialogue on the national demo project-Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)Vaccine on Friday at the Quill Club in Harare.
“The vaccine is a strategy for prevention of cancer of the cervix or mouth of the womb for pre-teenage girls aged 9 to 13years who if fully vaccinated, more than 70% reduction of the cancers caused by the virus has been realized.
“The girls have to get three doses to be fully protected and this demonstration project will run for 2 years before the nationwide roll-out in 2016”,said Manangazira.
Professor Mike Chirenje from the University of Zimbabwe who also graced the event updated the participants on the cancer of the cervix and the role of the HPV Vaccine, in which he said almost 37% of women have cervical cancer and 80% diagnosed die within a year.
“Cervical cancer is a preventable disease as long one gets vaccinated, which is done to start the process of building immunity against that particular infection and in the process prevent development of the disease. Cancer is an ugly disease which continues to kill our beloved ones, hence this is the time to prevent it” said Chirenje.
Quizzed on the side effects of the vaccine, Chirenje said they cannot rule out the issue as some people have greater tendency to react than others, he also pointed out that in more than 40 countries HPV vaccines did not result in any adverse side effects, (WHO, 2013).The few documented side effects were in the mild to moderate category, mostly transient and included hot body, dizziness, fainting, lethargy, vomiting and generalized weakness.
Globally, most countries have reported an increase in cancer related illnesses and deaths and 85% of cancers of the cervix are caused by chronic infection by the HPV virus and according to the health experts, vaccination has proven to be an effective strategy for the prevention of cervical cancer and that of the liver. Currently a total of 40 countries have developed plans and programs of vaccinating girls with the HPV vaccine and as of May 19, 2014, Zimbabwe will join other countries in its war against cancer of the cervix.
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