HPV vaccine introduced in Bangladesh

18 May 2016
News release

The Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine has recently been introduced for the first time in Bangladesh by the Ministry of Health, with support from the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunizations (GAVI). This new vaccine introduction programme will run for two years in Gazipur district and if it is successful, GAVI will provide support for national introduction of HPV vaccine.

HPV is a group of viruses that are extremely common worldwide. Some types of HPV can cause cervical cancer, in fact, types 16 and 18 cause 70% of cervical cancers. In Bangladesh, cervical cancer is the second most common cause of death from cancer among females. Around 11,956 new cervical cancer cases are diagnosed each year and approximately 6,582 deaths occur. This vaccine is highly effective against HPV types 16 and 18 and will serve as a primary prevention tool for cervical cancer caused by HPV.

WHO recommends that girls are vaccinated with HPV vaccine between the ages of 9-13 years. In line with this, the Government of Bangladesh has decided to vaccinate 10-year-old girls in the primary school setting (Grade 5) with two doses of vaccine, given 6 months apart. The target girls will mainly be reached through the school-based programme and girls who are out of school will receive the vaccine through the routine EPI sites at the community level.