The World Health Organisation (WHO) has issued an urgent call to cervical cancer vaccine providers to “prioritise women” after a worldwide shortage of the treatment was revealed.
It comes after “unprecedented demand” for the vaccine, which is used to prevent and control cervical cancer by eliminating the spread of the Human papillomavirus (HPV) virus.
According to WHO, the global health body, demand reached record levels among both boys and girls since countries such as the UK, Australia and the United States starting to vaccinate teenage males.
Commenting on the situation, Dr Alejandro Cravioto, chair of the WHO’s Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunisation, said: “Countries, if possible, should temporarily postpone the vaccination of boys until we have enough to vaccinate all of the girls between nine and 14.”
He added: “What we are talking about now is solidarity. Postponing vaccination of boys is not a public health problem, but not protecting girls from cervical cancer is a huge public health issue.”
As public providers of the HPV vaccine, Harrow Health Care has been assured that there will be a new supply for both boys and girls from February 2020.
“The HPV issue is that there is an insufficient supply of the vaccine. Girls are always going to benefit most from it, and the provision now made for vaccinating boys in developed countries means that less vaccine is available to the girls in third world countries,” said Dr Jane Woyka, GP Principal of Harrow Health Care.
If you are concerned about the HPV virus, please get in touch with our expert team. We will be happy to advise you on availability of the vaccine and treatment options.
