Cervical cancer vaccine is missing in 80 countries
November 17, 2021, 7:24 a.m.
Geneva (dpa) More than 300,000 women worldwide die each year from cervical cancer. In countries where two thirds of all cervical cancer cases occur today, there is no access to the vaccine.
Globally, only 13 percent of girls between the ages of nine and 14 were vaccinated against cervical cancer in 2020. Because of the corona pandemic, the proportion fell from 15 percent in the previous year, as reported by the World Health Organization (WHO).
November 17th is a global day of action against cervical cancer. Around 100 buildings and cities are to be illuminated in the color petrol, including the Temple of Heaven in Beijing and the Niagara Falls in Canada.
Exactly a year ago, the WHO presented a plan for the first time to practically eliminate one type of cancer, namely cervical cancer. By 2030, 90 percent of all girls are to be vaccinated against the papillomavirus (HPV), 70 of women around the world aged 35 and 45 will be tested for an HPV infection and 90 percent of the women affected will be treated.
The vaccine is now available in 115 countries, seven more than a year ago. But around 80 countries, where two thirds of all cervical cancer cases occur today, would not yet have access to it. More than 300,000 women worldwide die from it each year, 90 percent of them in low- and middle-income countries. Cervical cancer can be cured if detected earlier. We have the tools to make cervical cancer history, but we also need to make them available to everyone who dies, said WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
dpa-infocom, dpa: 211116-99-21483 / 4