Ashanti Regional Health Director, Dr. Fred Adomako Boateng, has underscored the importance of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination in reducing cervical cancer-related deaths, following alarming global statistics recorded in recent years.
Speaking in an interview with Kofi Boakye on Nkwantannanso on Opemsuo Radio, Dr. Adomako Boateng revealed that cervical cancer remains a major public health concern worldwide.
“Last year, deaths from cervical cancer were nearly 649,000 globally,” he disclosed.
He explained that the introduction of the HPV vaccine into routine immunization is a key strategy to combat the disease, noting that the vaccine is most effective when administered early.
“Any female from the age of nine can receive the vaccine,” he said
However, Dr. Adomako Boateng cautioned against the effectiveness of the vaccine if a person has already had sexual exposure.
“If a person has already been sexually active, she cannot take the vaccine because the person is already exposed,” he explained.
Dr. Adomako Boateng stressed that early vaccination remains a critical intervention in the fight against cervical cancer, urging timely immunization to reduce preventable deaths.
Source:
opemsuo.com