The Ministry of Health embarked upon a recent nationwide vaccination to reduce the likelihood of cervical cancer. The first dosage of the HPV vaccine was given in December to both boys and girls of grade six.

According to the Senior Community Health Nurse and the Head of the Expanded Program on Immunization Nurse Florentine Lewis, the response from parents and students have been excellent.

She said, “As far as the HPV Vaccine is concerned, we have done extremely well and I’m very pleased to report that our first dose had almost 95% coverage…we had some communities where we had 100% coverage. All of the schools in Dominica, the primary schools…the vaccine has been introduced to the students of grade six”.

She said while one or two persons objected the general response was positive.

She said further, “We have had no negative reactions from any of the students everybody tolerated their vaccine very well”.

Mrs. Lewis said further that while the vaccine is extremely expensive compared to other vaccines, the benefits far outweigh the cost.

The HPV Vaccine protects against cervical cancer and will be administered in two doses. The Ministry anticipates administering the second dosage around the month of April.

*HPV -Human Papillomavirus