GAVI Alliance
GAVI Alliance
11/19/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 11/19/2024 05:22
Lao PDR launches nationwide HPV immunization campaign to protect girls against cervical cancer
Vientiane, 19 November 2024 - In a significant move to enhance girls' health, the Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) Ministry of Health, in partnership with UNICEF, the World Health Organization (WHO) and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, with support from the Government of Australia, has launched the 2024 human papillomavirus (HPV) immunization campaign. This nationwide initiative aims to protect over 124,000 girls aged 10-14 from cervical cancer, one of the country's most prevalent and deadly diseases among women aged 35-49 years.
Schools across the country will serve as vaccination sites, ensuring that both enrolled students and out-of-school girls receive this life-saving vaccine.
"This campaign represents another important milestone for Lao PDR in our ongoing efforts to safeguard the health of women and girls," said Dr. Phonephaseuth Sayyamoungkhoun, Director General of the Department of Hygiene and Health Promotion at the Ministry of Health. "By providing the HPV vaccine to young girls each year, we are continuing decisive action on cervical cancer. I urge all community members and leaders to ensure that every eligible girl receives this vaccine."
Cervical cancer remains a significant health challenge in Lao PDR, with approximately 320 women diagnosed each year and more than half of them dying from the disease. The HPV vaccine is proven to be safe and effective, building immunity against the types of HPV responsible for over 70% of cervical cancer cases.
"By prioritizing HPV vaccination both in and out of school, the Lao PDR Government is taking a crucial step towards preventing cervical cancer and protecting the health and well-being of the nation's young women," said Nadia Lasri, Senior Country Manager and Coordinator of Gavi support in Lao PDR. "Gavi is committed to working with Lao PDR and other countries that are investing in expanding access to this highly impactful vaccine, which is so effective at reducing cervical cancer cases and saving lives."
The campaign, funded by Gavi and the Government of Lao PDR with support from the Government of Australia, reflects a strong partnership between international organizations and local authorities.
"It is gratifying to see how Lao parents, girls, and young women have embraced HPV vaccination in the past four years," said Bilal Durrani, UNICEF Country Representative in Lao PDR. "This campaign is an outstanding example of excellent collaboration between the Ministries of Health and Education and development partners to promote the well-being of the next generation."Globally, over 350 million doses of the HPV vaccine have been administered safely.
"This vaccine is safe and effective. Globally we've seen its transformative impact on reducing cervical cancer and saving lives," said Dr. Tim Armstrong, WHO Representative to Lao PDR. "HPV vaccines are a game changer."
Notes to editors
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common sexually transmitted infection. An HPV infection usually goes away on its own without treatment; however, some HPV infections can develop into cancer. Cervical cancer is the most common type of cancer caused by HPV and is one of the leading causes of cancer deaths among women in Lao PDR aged 35-49 years.
About Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance
Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance is a public-private partnership that helps vaccinate more than half the world's children against some of the world's deadliest diseases. The Vaccine Alliance brings together developing country and donor governments, the World Health Organization, UNICEF, the World Bank, the vaccine industry, technical agencies, civil society, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and other private sector partners. View the full list of donor governments and other leading organisations that fund Gavi's work here.
Since its inception in 2000, Gavi has helped to immunise a whole generation - over 1.1 billion children - and prevented more than 18.8 million future deaths, helping to halve child mortality in 78 lower-income countries. Gavi also plays a key role in improving global health security by supporting health systems as well as funding global stockpiles for Ebola, cholera, meningococcal and yellow fever vaccines. After two decades of progress, Gavi is now focused on protecting the next generation, above all the zero-dose children who have not received even a single vaccine shot. The Vaccine Alliance employs innovative finance and the latest technology - from drones to biometrics - to save lives, prevent outbreaks before they can spread and help countries on the road to self-sufficiency. Learn more at www.gavi.org and connect with us on Facebook and X (Twitter).
About WHO
The World Health Organization provides global leadership in public health within the United Nations system. Founded in 1948, WHO works with 194 Member States, across six regions and from more than 150 offices, to promote health, keep the world safe and serve the vulnerable. Our goal for 2019-2024 is to ensure that a billion more people have universal health coverage, to protect a billion more people from health emergencies, and provide a further billion people with better health and wellbeing.
Visit www.who.int and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, Pinterest, Snapchat, and YouTube.
MEDIA CONTACTS
Meg Sharafudeen, Gavi
+41 79 711 55 54
[email protected]
Eunice Kilonzo-Muraya, Gavi
+41 76 424 85 03
[email protected]
Will Seal, WHO Lao PDR
Technical Officer (Communications)
+856 20 55510788
[email protected]