Over 6,000 girls vaccinated against HPV in Almaty

From September 30 to January 14, more than 6,000 girls aged from 11 to 13, have been vaccinated against human papilloma virus in Almaty schools, Kazinform News Agency reports.

“Studies show that the vaccine protection long-lasting protection. Studies prove that vaccine immunogenicity does not reduce for 10 years after it is administered. WHO has approved this vaccine as safe and effective,” Raikhan Bolatbekova, chief of oncogynecology department at Almaty Oncology Centre, said at a briefing.

As per the National Cervical Screening Program, women aged from 30 to 70 undergo cervical cytological test in Kazakhstan.

“Cervical cancer remains one of the most common cancers in Kazakhstani women, with more than 2,000 new cases and almost 50 deaths recorded annually,” she noted.

According to her, 97% of all cervical cancers are associated namely with this HPV.

She stressed that early detection of cervical cancer and HPV prevention may significantly reduce the disease risk.

206 cervical cancer cases were detected in Almaty last year, mostly affecting women of reproductive age with a peak incidence at the age of 40-44.

In September 2024, Kazakhstan launched vaccination of girls under 11 against HPV.  Catch-up immunization of girls aged from 12 to 13 will be carried out as well. Over 83,000 girls aged 11-13 were vaccinated across the country as of early December.