Vaccination against cervical cancer to start on November 4

Arku Jasmine Nov - 03 - 2013 , 20:42

The Ghana Health Service is conducting a vaccination exercise, against cervical cancer in 13 districts in Northern and Central Regions from November 4- November 8.

Girls from nine -11years will receive the vaccine three times within a period of six months for complete protection from the disease.

Mr Charles Adjei, Disease Control Officer of Yendi Municipal Health Directorate, made this known during the exposure of stakeholders to the vaccination demonstration of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) in Yendi Municipality of the Northern Region.

He said the HPV vaccine is given in a form of injection in three doses over a period of six months.

Mr Adjei said the vaccine is safe, effective and has been approved by World Health Organisation.

He said cervical cancer is an important cause of death of women in their reproductive years of 40 and 50.

He explained that the changes in the body that may lead to cancer could start during adolescent age.

Symptoms of cervical cancer often occur late when the disease has spread into offensive blood stained vaginal discharge, bleeding between menses, irregular menstrual bleeding, and painful intercourse among other indicators.

Mr Mohammed Abdul-Mumuni, Health Promotion Officer said some children may react mildly to the vaccine with the common side effects including, swelling and tenderness at injection site, light fever, itching, pain and vomiting.

He advised parents to take their child to nearest health facility if they develop any of the common side effects.

Mr Abdul- Mumuni said Community Health Nurses and other qualified nurses have been trained to carry out the exercise in all the primary schools in the municipality.

Mr Jacob Kofi Laarie, Municipal Health Information officer said people who should not receive the HPV include anyone with life threatening allergies, those who reacted to a previous dose of Gardasil vaccine or are allergic to yeast.

He said then vaccine should also not be administered to sick and pregnant people.