A series of global dialogues on the effective introduction for a vaccine against the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) in Latin America was concluded this past March 22nd by the Colombian League Against Cancer, along with GDLN Colombia and the Iberian-American League Against Cancer (ALICC). The vaccine, designed to develop antibodies against HPV, could prevent the transmit of a disease that causes 90% of all uterine cervical cancer cases that leads to the death of 250 thousand women a year. Delegates from entities that work to control cancer in Latin America took part in these dialogues to come up with ideas regarding the design and execution for strategies that will allow access to the vaccine against HPV. Together, delegates came to the conclusion that regardless of vaccine costs, it is possible for Latin American countries to access the new vaccine in massive quantities in 2 or 3 years if government and non-government organizations prepare themselves for its distribution and organize the specific necessities of each country within the region regarding cervical cancer.
Dr. Merle Lewis, Public Health Specialist with the Pan-American Health Organization’s (PAHO) Immunization Unit, informed participants of the present discussions held between producers and possible donors and sponsors of the vaccine, seeking to make the vaccine available to nations with greater need in Latin America and the Caribbean. In 2009, PAHO intends to include the HPV vaccine in their Rotational Funds that will allow countries with minimal resources, and major cancer indexes, access to the vaccine and its dissemination. These vaccine dissemination efforts will take into account individual country studies, analyzing the cost/benefit of each case, so that the introduction and dissemination of the vaccine is carried out with the resources available in each country.
For more information regarding these events and the introduction of the vaccine against HPV in Latin America, contact the Colombian League Against Cancer at ligacol@multiphone.net.co.
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