National Communicable Disease Committee Agree on a plan to expedite 1 million vaccine doses to prevent infection with the HPV virus that causes cervical cancer, according to the Quick Win goal in 100 days.
National Communicable Disease Committee Agree on a plan to expedite HPV vaccination to prevent cervical cancer in women aged 11-20 years, driven by the Quick Win policy of "comprehensive cancer", injecting 1 million doses within 100 days, indicating that if the injection is given before sexual intercourse, it will be effective in Protection against infection is up to 90%, and injections after age 11 can also prevent HPV infection.
Today (22 September 2023) at the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Public Health. Nonthaburi Province, Dr. Chonnan Srikaew, Minister of Public Health Chaired the meeting of the National Communicable Disease Committee No. 5/2023 with Dr. Opas Karnkawinphong. Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Health, Dr. Tharet Krasanairawiwong Director General of the Department of Disease Control and committees from related agencies attended the meeting
Dr. Chonnan said that the meeting considered two important matters and agreed to expedite the vaccination against HPV virus in the target group of women aged 11-20 years in accordance with the Quick Win of the Comprehensive Cancer Policy. The target is to inject 1 million doses over 100 days because cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in Thai women after breast cancer. Over the past 5 years, there have been approximately 6,500 new cases/ year and there are 2,000 deaths/year. The cause is infection with the HPV virus or Human Papilloma Virus through direct contact. or sexual intercourse The most common strains are strains 16 and 18, which cause up to 70% of cervical cancers. The HPV vaccine can protect them well, especially if injected before sexual intercourse. They are effective in preventing infection up to. 90% results in reducing the risk of cervical cancer in the next 10-20 years. Thailand therefore offers HPV vaccination to girls in primary school. 5 or 11 years of age since the 2017 academic year. However, injections at later ages can still prevent HPV infection. Currently, 5th grade children who have received the vaccination will be in Mathayom 5 or 17 years of age, therefore Expanding the target group to 20 year olds, there is only the 18-20 year old group who were in grade 5 before this policy. Which is currently in the period from Mathayom 6 to the 2nd year of higher education, including rushing to vaccinate those under 18 years of age who have not yet received the complete vaccine.
As for the HPV vaccination plan for the first 100 days, after the policy has been communicated to executives of affiliated agencies across the country. During the month of October Will create service guidelines Survey the number of target groups to prepare vaccines. Develop the MOPH IC database system and coordinate and sign cooperation with the Ministry of Education. Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation Ministry of Labor Department of Local Administration Promotion and Bangkok to prepare Organize a kickoff campaign and organize a pilot injection service for each province at the same time throughout the country. Then from November - December 2023, vaccination services will be expedited by government hospitals. Contract private hospitals and service units at the Provincial Public Health Office or Bangkok as specified Dividing the injections into 2 forms: student groups Injection at educational institutions after school starts For those outside the education system, including those aged 18-20 years, the injection will be given at a service center near their home.
Dr. Chonnan further said that regarding the COVID-19 vaccine management plan in 2024 in order to reduce severe illness, death and preserve the country's public health system. There has been further study of injection instructions. For further consideration in preparing the COVID-19 vaccination plan. In addition, the meeting was informed of the situation of important communicable diseases as follows: Communicable diseases with increasing outbreaks include: 1. Influenza. which has informed preventive measures against influenza especially in school Prepare the CDCU team for disease control investigations. and rush to vaccinate against influenza in 7 high-risk groups and village health volunteers, and 2. Monkeypox, which Thailand tends to have an increasing number of patients. Most are Thai people. There are risks from having multiple sexual partners or with strangers. The Ministry of Public Health has given importance to surveillance, screening, isolating, quarantining and treating patients. and communicate to the public By focusing on at-risk populations in order to change behavior.
Communicable diseases where the situation has improved include: 1. COVID-19, which is still monitoring the outbreak situation. Watch out for mutant strains and annual vaccination campaign to prevent COVID-19 In the risk group 608 and 2. Malaria Measures are still in place to search for new patients in border areas. Diagnose and treat immediately Ready to expedite control of mosquito vectors in areas with outbreaks as soon as possible. -Thai news agency
Source: Thai News Agency