The moment a vaccine is administered is like a key turning a lock, opening up a world where children can dream of becoming anything from teachers to artists, a world where health no longer stands in the way of their aspirations. It will be done. Like a new birth, vaccines rewrite life stories and shape lives for the better.
Today, nurse Rita Pineda arrived in the hallways of a vibrant school in Puerto Cortes, Honduras. An ordinary day can make a special difference in the lives of many girls. “It's a joyful experience. Once the girls are vaccinated, they are well protected and ready,” she reflects.
This is especially true for the HPV vaccine, given that vaccines are a major turning point in the lives of many children and adolescents. In Honduras, cervical cancer is the most common cancer in women and the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women. The numbers speak louder. It affects 29 out of 100,000 women, accounting for approximately 40% of malignant tumors and 60% of all cancers. This harsh reality, especially for girls as young as 11, can be changed through timely vaccination.
For Rita, the path to each school is a testament to the broader mission supported by the Honduran Ministry of Health. To prevent cervical cancer, the Ministry of Health has offered all girls a single dose of the vaccine recommended for ages 11 to 15. Additionally, with support from the Government of Canada, UNICEF, and in collaboration with two civil society organizations, Doctors of the World and the Children's Fund have launched a series of activities aimed at protecting girls from this disease. did. Canada's grants will support this vaccination program and the country's goal of fully immunizing against COVID-19, another prevalent threat that has claimed more than 11,000 lives by 2023. (only 57.0% of the population).
The focus of this effort is two-fold. One is sending vaccination teams to schools and running his HPV vaccine awareness campaign, particularly in three areas identified as having the lowest vaccination rates and highest population densities. Rita, a key member of such a brigade, has found that dealing with her parents' skepticism is as much a part of her daily mission as her vaccination itself. “For several reasons, not all parents want their daughters to be vaccinated. When we encounter a situation like this, we emphasize the importance of HPV vaccination. “It represents a step towards a healthier life and is highly effective,'' she says.
On this day, girls like 11-year-old Aylin are the victims of this life-saving effort. Just because she lived near a health center, there was no guarantee that she would receive her HPV vaccine. It is the Brigade's dedicated visit that brings this vital protection to her doorstep. Her parents, who were initially hesitant, were persuaded by a comprehensive awareness campaign about cervical cancer, understood the importance of the vaccine, and agreed to vaccinate Irene.
“Learning about cervical cancer today was an eye-opener,” Aylin shares her newfound awareness. – “I feel lucky to understand the importance of the HPV vaccine. I am now part of a protected community and I want to encourage my peers, especially children as young as 11, to take this opportunity to protect their health and safety.” We encourage you to take advantage of it.”
The impact of these efforts is clear. As of October 2023, 28,790 girls have received HPV vaccination and 9,595 have completed the vaccination series. Additionally, integrating COVID-19 vaccinations has expanded protection and strengthened community health resilience. Two doses of the vaccine can prevent up to 70% of HPV-related cervical cancers.
As Rita packs, each vaccinated girl leaves with more than just physical protection. They leave feeling safer from the threat of cervical cancer and more empowered to dream and achieve. Support from the Government of Canada is critical and will ensure these vaccinations open the door to a future full of possibilities.