Offer will be progressively extended to all girls currently studying in secondary schools
By Salma Khalik, Senior Health Correspondent, The Straits Times, 7 Mar 2019
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All Secondary 1 girls in national schools, including madrasahs, will be offered free vaccination from next month to protect them against cervical cancer.
About 200 women get the cancer each year and 70 die from it, said Senior Minister of State for Health Amy Khor yesterday.
She added: "This cancer, which is caused by infection with the human papilloma virus (HPV), can be prevented with vaccination and screening."
The vaccine protects women against common HPV strains, which primarily cause cervical cancer, but can also cause vulva, vaginal and anal cancers.
As a one-time catch-up, the offer will be progressively extended to all girls currently studying in secondary schools. Those of similar age studying in private education institutes will also be offered free vaccination, if they are Singapore residents.
This is an opt-in scheme.
The Government has put aside $10 million for this year, and $2.5 million annually from next year.
Singapore has picked the oldest of three HPV vaccines on the market, Cervarix, which protects against HPV strains 16 and 18, which account for 70 per cent of cervical cancers.
The Ministry of Health (MOH) told The Straits Times that Cervarix was selected based on factors such as efficacy, price and stock availability.
Its spokesman added: "MOH is evaluating Gardasil 9 to compare it to the other two HPV vaccines. If found to be cost-effective in the local setting compared to Cervarix or Gardasil, MOH will consider offering Gardasil 9."
By Salma Khalik, Senior Health Correspondent, The Straits Times, 7 Mar 2019
About 200 women get the cancer each year and 70 die from it, said Senior Minister of State for Health Amy Khor yesterday.
She added: "This cancer, which is caused by infection with the human papilloma virus (HPV), can be prevented with vaccination and screening."
The vaccine protects women against common HPV strains, which primarily cause cervical cancer, but can also cause vulva, vaginal and anal cancers.
As a one-time catch-up, the offer will be progressively extended to all girls currently studying in secondary schools. Those of similar age studying in private education institutes will also be offered free vaccination, if they are Singapore residents.
This is an opt-in scheme.
The Government has put aside $10 million for this year, and $2.5 million annually from next year.
Singapore has picked the oldest of three HPV vaccines on the market, Cervarix, which protects against HPV strains 16 and 18, which account for 70 per cent of cervical cancers.
The Ministry of Health (MOH) told The Straits Times that Cervarix was selected based on factors such as efficacy, price and stock availability.
Its spokesman added: "MOH is evaluating Gardasil 9 to compare it to the other two HPV vaccines. If found to be cost-effective in the local setting compared to Cervarix or Gardasil, MOH will consider offering Gardasil 9."