A woman being administered the vaccination.
KOTA KINABALU: A free Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccination exercise was carried out at 1Borneo Hypermall here yesterday.
The one-day programme was organised by the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry through its National Population and Family Development Board, said state Director Jimbau Munggat.
Women born in 1993, 1994 and 1995 are eligible for the free HPV vaccination which is aimed at preventing cervical cancer.
“In 2012, the government had allocated RM50 million for the free HPV vaccination program for women who are eligible. Today we are doing the program in 1Borneo and our target is the visitors to this shopping mall.
“We encourage students of public and private learning institutes to take advantage of the free service as private medical facilities are known to charge at least RM250 for the vaccination,” he said.
Human Papilloma Virus is a type of virus that can cause abnormal tissue growth (for example, warts) and other changes to cells. Infection over a long time with certain types of human papillomavirus can cause cervical cancer.
Human papilloma virus may also play a role in some other types of cancer, such as anal, vaginal, vulvar, penile, oropharyngeal, and squamous cell skin cancers.
Jimbau said that the HPV vaccination is done in three dosages. After the initial vaccination, the second dose is given a month later and the third, six months after the first dose.
“The follow up doses can be done at the Ministry’s Nur Sejahtera clinics which are located in Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan and Semporna. For college and university students, we may group them together and administer the vaccine at their respective schools,” he said.
The Board can also provide similar service to the public by holding another similar vaccination program at public places, he added.
Yesterday’s program was held from 10 am to 9pm and five lucky women who received the vaccination stood a chance to win the ‘Girls Day Out’ tour package.