**HPV Vaccination Delay Puts Women at Risk of Cervical Cancer**
The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination program in Mexico, which began a decade ago, targets girls aged 9 to 11. These initial recipients are now adults, while women above this age, who are most frequently diagnosed with cervical cancer, remain largely unprotected. The vaccination scheme is primarily for young girls and vulnerable groups, such as those living with HIV, leaving women over 28 without the necessary protection against HPV—a significant contributor to cervical cancer.
Dr. Lucely Cetina Pérez of the National Cancer Institute emphasizes that cervical cancer is nearly 97% preventable with measures like Pap smears, HPV vaccination, and comprehensive sexual education. Despite this, Mexico lags behind other Latin American countries in vaccination rates, having paused HPV vaccinations for two years during the COVID-19 pandemic. The country only began addressing the backlog in 2022.
At a recent health journalism seminar, it was noted that, in Mexico’s public sector, cervical cancer is often detected at advanced stages, necessitating treatment with radiotherapy and chemotherapy rather than surgery, often with fatal outcomes. The reluctance to discuss cervical cancer, due to its association with sexually transmitted HPV, exacerbates this issue.
According to the World Health Organization’s 2018 global strategy to eliminate cervical cancer, the aim is to vaccinate 90% of girls, screen 70% of women at least once by age 35, and treat 90% of identified cases effectively. However, federal policies in Mexico do not currently extend vaccination to adults, leaving millions of women without access unless they seek private treatment, which can be prohibitively expensive, costing up to 12,000 pesos for a full course of the vaccine.
**Secondary Article: Global HPV Vaccination Initiatives and Challenges**
Globally, HPV is recognized as a prominent cause of cervical cancer, leading to over 300,000 deaths annually. Various countries have implemented vaccination programs with differing levels of success. For example, Australia has one of the most successful HPV vaccination programs, which has significantly reduced cervical cancer rates. In contrast, challenges remain in countries with less developed healthcare infrastructures or where cultural barriers inhibit vaccination efforts.
The World Health Organization has made eradicating cervical cancer a priority, encouraging nations to adopt vaccination, screening, and treatment programs. However, the effectiveness of these programs heavily depends on local government support, public awareness, and cultural acceptance. The financial and logistical hurdles in acquiring vaccines, combined with misinformation about vaccine safety, continue to pose significant challenges.
The ongoing efforts to combat global HPV and related cervical cancer require not only improved access to vaccines but also a comprehensive approach to public education and policy support to create a sustainable impact.