Brazilian girls to get second shot of HPV vaccine
Vaccine against HPV: over 4.3 million girls in this age group received the first shot in March this year
Girls aging from 11 to 13 years old who have received the first shot of the vaccine against the human papillomavirus (HPV) are to receive the second dose as of Monday (Sep 1). The vaccination will be carried out at public and private schools, along with healthcare stations.
According to the Health Ministry, over 4.3 million girls in this age group received the first shot in March this year. The second one is crucial to ensuring protection against the disease. The third dose is expected to be applied five years after the first.
The vaccine offers protection against four strains of HPV: 6, 11, 16 and 18. Strain 16 and 18 are responsible for 70 percent of the cases of cervical cancer, while strain 6 and 11 account for 90% of anogenital warts
In 2015, the vaccine will be offered to girls from nine to 11, and, in 2016, to nine-year-old girls.
As for cervical cancer, the National Cancer Institute estimates the incidence of 15 thousand new cases in the country this year.
Translated by Fabrício Ferreira
Fonte: Brazilian girls to get second shot of HPV vaccine
