TEHRAN – The Ministry of Health plans to include human papilloma (HPV) vaccination in the national immunization program to prevent the prevalence of cervical cancer and genital wart infections.
“Genital warts are not common in the country, so vaccination is mainly focused on preventing infection,” Irna quotes Alireza Raeisi.
Officials noted that the HPV vaccine, which is the same as the influenza vaccine, is recommended for people at high risk of contracting the disease.
December 2024 Vaccination is the best way to prevent disease. Vaccines have already been introduced in 140 countries.
In the Eastern Mediterranean region, countries such as Saudi Arabia, Libya, Qatar, and the UAE have already begun nationwide HPV vaccination of targeted populations.
Officials further said that the bivalent HPV vaccine, which targets subtypes 16 and 18, which are associated with many cancers, has been linked to cervical cancer. However, vaccines are not fully effective against types 6 and 11, which cause genital warts.
cervical cancer
Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women worldwide, with approximately 660 000 new cases and approximately 350 000 deaths in 2022.
The highest incidence of cervical cancer incidence and mortality is in low-income and middle-income countries.
Cervical cancer is caused by persistent infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV). Women living with HIV are six times more likely to develop cervical cancer compared to women without HIV.
Prophylactic vaccination against HPV and screening and treatment of precancerous lesions are effective strategies to prevent cervical cancer and are highly cost-effective.
If diagnosed at an early stage and treated promptly, cervical cancer can be cured.
Iranian HPV vaccine
In January, an Iranian knowledge-based company announced that it is ready to meet the needs of regional countries and North Africa for human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines.
This product is manufactured 75% cheaper at a much lower price compared to foreign samples.
Production of the HPV vaccine requires one of the most complex technologies in the world, and Iran was able to produce the vaccine domestically.
After passing quality control tests and preclinical trials, clinical trials of the HPV vaccine began in 2019 on healthy volunteers.
Once the vaccine demonstrated safety and efficacy in increasing antibody titers, it received Food and Drug Organization approval to enter the market in 2020.
mt/mg