DOH suspends anti-cervical cancer vaccination in schools

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Health (DOH) has shelved its plan to provide free vaccination against cervical to Grade 4 students in public schools in 20 poorest provinces.

Health Secretary Janette Garin said the program would instead be implemented at the health centers of various local government units (LGUs).

“It’s no longer school-based because of budgetary constraints. Aside from that, there are many speculations… we decided not to insist anymore,” Garin said.

“There are misinterpretation and misinformation that if we vaccinate against cervical cancer, we would promote promiscuity, which is not true,” she said, adding that the vaccination is not mandatory.

Cervical cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths among women in the country.  It is estimated that 12 Filipino women die of cervical cancer every day.

Various women’s groups, including the Asia-Pacific Center for Evidence-based Medicine, Sin Tax Coalition, Philippine College of Physicians and Women Health Philippines have opposed the program.

Leonila Dans, professor of clinical epidemiology at the University of the Philippines-Manila and one of the founders of the Asia-Pacific Center for Evidence-based Medicine, said there is no scientific basis that administering anti-human papilloma virus vaccine to young girls is effective and safe.

Dans said studies covered women aged 15 to 26, but there is no study that involved nine-year-old girls.

“The DOH should study first. Is there harm involved for these children?” she said.