Phnom Penh / Geneva, 5 October 2023 – The Ministry of Health announced today the introduction of the one-dose human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine for girls aged nine years old into the national immunization schedule, available free of charge, to prevent cervical cancer in Cambodia.

The Ministry of Health (MoH) in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport (MoEYS) and local administration – with support from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance (Gavi), the World Health Organization (WHO), United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF), and Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) – will introduce HPV vaccines nationwide, to all nine-year-old girls in Cambodia through regular school and community vaccination outreach sessions and year-round services at health centres from 5 October 2023.

Often referred to as the ‘silent killer’ and almost entirely preventable, cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer, and cause of cancer-related deaths, in women globally, with the majority of cases occurring in lower- and middle-income countries. In Cambodia, it is the second-leading cause of cancer among women of all ages, with an estimated 1,135 new cases and 643 deaths every year¹. The HPV vaccine protects women from cervical cancer through preventing infection with the human papillomavirus. Recent evidence from WHO shows that one-dose HPV vaccines have 80-90 percent effectiveness to decrease HPV infection and prevent cervical cancer.

From 2017 to 2018 the Ministry of Health conducted a successful HPV vaccine demonstration project for 9-year-old girls across 10 districts in two provinces, Siem Reap and Svay Rieng. The project achieved 96% coverage, demonstrating high acceptance in the communities and the country’s ability and readiness to implement the vaccine nationwide. Now, Cambodia joins 136 countries in introducing the HPV vaccine into the national immunization program.

H.E. Professor Chheang Ra, Minister of Health, mentioned during the national launch event of HPV vaccine introduction: “Cervical cancer is a public health priority in Cambodia. We accelerate our joint efforts to eliminate this deadly disease by introducing the HPV vaccine into the Cambodian National Immunization Program. We will ensure all nine-year-old girls can receive one dose of the HPV vaccine free of charge starting from today, and plan to provide HPV vaccines to girls above nine years old through campaign in 2025.” He encouraged all health staff and partners to work together for the protection of all girls in the country.

Dr Pascal Ringwald, WHO Representative in Cambodia, said, “We congratulate MoH for this historic decision. The HPV vaccine is one of the RGC’s primary prevention strategies towards cervical cancer elimination. The vaccine is safe and the most effective preventive measure available against cervical cancer. Achieving more than 80 per cent coverage of one-dose HPV vaccines will benefit more people, families, and communities in decades to come.”

Dr Will Parks, UNICEF Representative in Cambodia, emphasized the importance of equity in the introduction of the HPV vaccine in Cambodia. “Ensuring all eligible girls, especially those living in high risk, urban poor, remote and rural communities, and ethnic and migrant populations, have access to the HPV vaccine is critical for promoting health equity and safeguarding the well-being of every child in Cambodia,” he said. “UNICEF is committed to supporting the government's efforts to eliminate cervical cancer and improve health for all.”

Soleine Scotney, Country Director of CHAI Cambodia, commends the Ministry of Health’s commitment to improving the futures of Cambodian girls: “The continued prioritization of new and effective vaccines like the HPV vaccine is a testament to the commitment of the Ministry of Health to the health of Cambodians. Learning from the experiences of the COVID-19 vaccination efforts, support from communities and local authorities is critical for ensuring all girls are reached and benefit from this important cervical cancer prevention measure.”

Thabani Maphosa, Managing Director of Country Programs Delivery at Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance said “Today marks an important step in the battle against cervical cancer and its devastating impacts in Cambodia. The wait for the HPV vaccine is over, affording generations of adolescent girls across the country the opportunity to be protected against a deadly yet preventable disease. Collective and urgent action towards expanding access to all communities will be essential to make sure no girl is left behind.”

Driven by a model of building sustainable immunization programs, Gavi is supporting the HPV vaccination by co-financing the cost of the vaccines, injection supplies, and operational logistics alongside the Government.  The vaccines and injection supplies are WHO prequalified and procured through the UNICEF procurement system. WHO, UNICEF, CHAI, and Gavi commit to continue supporting the implementation of HPV vaccination as part of the National Immunization Program and Government strategy towards eliminating cervical cancer in Cambodia.

MEDIA CONTACTS

Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance
Cirũ Kariũki
+41 79 913 94 41
ckariuki@gavi.org

National Immunization Program, Ministry of Health
Mr. Ork Vichit
+ 855 12 830 548
orkvichit@yahoo.com

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