HPV vaccination in Jamaica W.I.

You may have heard of a vaccination that can prevent cervical cancer. The Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is being called a vaccine that prevents cervical cancer. This breakthrough in medical technology, came when it was discovered that cervical cancer was linked to the human papilloma virus, a sexually transmitted viral infection.

The HPV vaccine has been available to over 80 countries since 2007. In Jamaica, the vaccine is available, however, it is not a part of the government’s immunization schedule. The HPV vaccine treatment is expensive (of course this is relative), it costs about US360 and it is reported that three vaccines are required for protection against cervical cancer. The Pap smear, is the traditional method of detecting cervical cancer and it is reported that the Ministry of Health services will be doing a cost-benefit-analysis comparing the Pap smear screening and the HPV vaccine.

Now consider this… A 1999 study in the West Indian Medical Journal indicates that cervical cancer accounted for 62 per cent of 2862 gynecologic cancers (in Kingston and St Andrew) between 1973 and 1997. For further consideration, it is reported that the Pap smear detects potentially pre-cancerous changes that can be treated to prevent cervical cancer; the HPV vaccine prevents infection of certain species of HPV that is associated with the development of cervical cancer.

….Are we still doing the math?

Visit your doctor and talk about the Pap smear test and the HPV vaccine.

References: Jamaica Gleaner Wednesday October 29, 2008;