Ilocos Norte achieves 95.7% HPV vaccination coverage, first in Philippines

Ilocos Norte has set a new benchmark in the country's cervical cancer prevention campaign by becoming the first province to surpass the 90 percent HPV vaccination target for girls aged 9 to 14 years old.

The province achieved a coverage rate of 95.7 percent, with 22,039 girls vaccinated against the human papillomavirus, according to the Department of Health Ilocos Center for Health Development. The accomplishment represents a significant step forward in expanding immunization access across the region.

The HPV vaccine protects against strains of the virus responsible for most cases of cervical cancer. Health authorities have prioritized HPV vaccination as a critical public health intervention, particularly among younger age groups where the vaccine demonstrates optimal effectiveness.

Ilocos Norte's achievement underscores the potential for provincial health systems to meet or exceed national immunization targets through coordinated implementation efforts. The milestone comes as health officials continue efforts to improve vaccination coverage in other regions across the country.