Philippines plans HPV vaccination drive for over 2 million schoolgirls

MANILA — The Department of Health announced plans Monday to vaccinate over 2 million girls nationwide against human papillomavirus as part of its expanded school immunization initiative. The program targets students in Grades 4 and 5 across the country, with officials recommending a single-dose approach to streamline administration and improve accessibility.

Dr. Alethea De Guzman, director of the DOH Epidemiology Bureau, outlined the vaccination strategy as a key component of the department's cancer prevention agenda. The move reflects growing efforts to reduce the incidence of HPV-related cervical cancer, one of the leading health concerns affecting Filipino women.

The school-based approach is intended to maximize reach and ensure consistent coverage across both urban and rural areas. By targeting students at an early age, health officials aim to provide protection before potential exposure to the virus, which is transmitted primarily through sexual contact.

The DOH has not yet announced a specific timeline for implementation or identified which schools will serve as priority sites for the rollout. Officials are expected to provide additional details regarding logistics, funding, and coordination with educational institutions in the coming weeks.