Introduction of HPV vaccine in Uzbekistan
Results of the first round of vaccination against HPV
In October 2019 the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Uzbekistan introduced the vaccine against Human papilloma virus (HPV) for 9 year old girls. This is the 13th vaccine in the National Immunization Calendar.
Despite of some misconceptions around the vaccine among population, the coverage of immunization with the first dose of HPV vaccine in Uzbekistan is now more than 95% as per official data.
To achieve this Ministry of Health, Agency on Sanitary and Epidemiological Well-being and its regional departments with support from UNICEF and WHO conducted communication campaign to raise awareness among parents, teachers and medical staff about the importance of immunization against HPV and about consequences of being infected by some types of HPV.
The second dose of the vaccine will be given in April 2020 to girls who received the first dose of the vaccine.
Girls who missed vaccination due to some reasons still can approach their doctors in family policlinics to get vaccinated against HPV.
The vaccine against HPV has been successfully introduced starting from 2006 in more than 100 countries all over the world and studies conducted so far demonstrate that the vaccine is very safe and effective. Rapid reductions up to 90% in HPV infections and genital warts in young women were demonstrated in Australia, Belgium, Germany, Sweden, United Kingdom, United States and New Zealand.
Immunization plays an important role in prevention of diseases.
Vaccines are especially important for infants, children and recommended to teenagers, and adults as well.
Despite of a very high vaccination coverage in Uzbekistan, which is more than 95% as per official data, there are still children in the country who are not protected against preventable diseases. This can lead to severe complications and even death, if a child is not vaccinated on time.
That’s why the experts who set the schedule pay such careful attention to timing.
All children in Uzbekistan can be protected from 13 serious diseases if they are vaccinated in accordance with the National Immunization Calendar. Vaccination is free and accessible in all regions of the country.
