Immunization specialists urge parents to vaccinate the girls against the human papillomavirus that can lead to the appearance of cervical cancer in adulthood. Doctors formulated recommendations in connection with the European Immunization Week that is celebrated in Moldova too on April 24-30. According to epidemiologists, about 300 women die annually in Moldova due to this virus, IPN reports.

Doctors note that 80% of the cases of cervical cancer can be prevented by vaccination against the human papillomavirus in adolescence. The vaccine in Moldova can be administered to girls aged ten with the preliminary consent of parents.

“The HPV immunization coverage in the Republic of Moldova at the moment is about 50%. Half of the girls aged ten get vaccinated because their parents realize the risks. Statistics of deaths caused by cervical cancer are sad.  Over 300 women in our country die annually because of this. This is a sad figure for the Republic of Moldova. Therefore, HPV vaccination was introduced in 2017,“ epidemiologist Veaceslav Guțu stated in a special edition on the public TV channel.

The HPV vaccine was introduced as optional in the immunization calendar in December 2017. Specialists say the HPV vaccine can be administered simultaneously with other types of vaccine in different anatomical places, including with the vaccine against COVID-19.

“The girls aged ten are invited to get vaccinated against the human papillomavirus. This vaccine prevents the appearance of cervical cancer. It is a vaccine that can avoid this suffering and the appearance of a fatal disease in girls in the long run. It is very important for the girls to get vaccinated so as to live healthily and to be able to start families” said UNICEF Moldova representative Angela Capcelea.

According to the Oncological Institute, about 300 new cases of cervical cancer are annually recorded in the Republic of Moldova, which is 17 women per 100,000 female population. Most often, cervical cancer is detected in women aged between 40 and 60.