Free HPV vaccine for young girls in T&T

The Government of Trinidad & Tobago is making arrangement to vaccinate citizens against the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine which causes with cervical and other cancers, especially among young girls.

Health Minister Dr Fuad Khan announced on Thursday that the vaccine would be made available at no cost to prepubescent girls, starting in November.

HPV is one of the most commonly sexually transmitted infection. It is passed on through genital contact—during vaginal, anal or oral sex. 

Khan said, "The development of this vaccine carries the cancer treatment to a different realm." He said the target group is girls "who have not been sexually active".

He acknowledged that administering the vaccine could be a controversial issue. However he said the ministry plans to launch an education campaign to make parents aware of the benefit of the vaccine. No one would be forced to take it, he said.

"We would be looking for informed consent, not only by the parent but by the recipient of the vaccine," the minister stated. 

He said the vaccine being imported—the Gardasil vaccine— would be effective on the three strains of HPV, which are most prevalent in Trinidad and Tobago. The cost would be US$14.16 per vial.