The Department of Health (DOH) is set to launch a free immunization program for girls against human papillomavirus (HPV) this year.
During a televised program, Health Secretary Ted Herbosa announced that funding for this initiative was already secured through the national budget.
“For 2025, we can vaccinate all Filipino girls,” Herbosa said.
A single dose of HPV vaccine typically retails for P4,000, requiring two doses for full protection.
HPV is a prevalent sexually transmitted infection that can lead to serious health issues, including cervical cancer.
The program aims to counteract the rising trend of anti-vaccination sentiments, which has led to only 60 percent of children being immunized. Herbosa emphasized the importance of achieving a 95-percent immunization rate by 2025 to ensure herd immunity.
The DOH also plans to implement stronger school-based immunization programs to enhance vaccination rates.
