Guyana’s vaccination programme covers 19 different diseases – Dr Anthony

…urges parents to get children vaccinated against HPV, other diseases

The People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government’s vaccine programme has evolved, to the point where the Ministry of Health provides vaccines for 19 diseases, including a vaccine for cervical cancer which it is encouraging parents to have their children take between the ages of 9 and 15.
During President Dr Irfaan Ali’s recent visit to Strathspey, East Coast of Demerara (ECD), the Head of State was accompanied by Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony who encouraged parents to avail themselves of this vaccine for the sake of their children. This is in addition to women aged 16-45, for whom the vaccine is also available.
“We want to ensure that all our children get good vaccines. Because when they get vaccines, it protects them against diseases. And right now, we’re giving vaccines to protect our children from 19 different diseases. This is a big investment the Government is making.”
“And one of the vaccines we want to give for children between the ages of 9 to 15, is the HPV (Human Papillomavirus) vaccine. Why we want to give that vaccine? As you grow older, one of cancers affecting women is cervical cancer. And with this vaccine, if the child takes the vaccine between 9 and 15 years of age, it can prevent the cancer from ever happening to that child.”
The Health Minister took the opportunity to encourage persons to come and take advantage of the public health services offered at community centres around the country. With $129.8 billion allocated to the health sector in the 2024 national budget, the Government spares no effort in spending on the sector. And according to Dr Anthony, more persons should avail themselves of the services provided.
“So please, let us get our children to take the vaccine. And there are many many programmes we have, where we’re interacting and doing good things for people. But if people don’t come, then what is the value of the programme? The investments are there, the value is there, but we need people to come and make sure they get the benefit.”
“For older people, we want to make sure that if you got sugar or high blood pressure, that we can manage it properly. And therefore, we can prevent people from getting complications. But please, come to the clinic,” Dr Anthony also said.
The Guyana Government aims to contribute to the global push to significantly reduce cervical cancer cases by 2030 and as such, parents are being encouraged to allow their girl children to get the HPV vaccines.
Last year, the Health Ministry launched its Global Strategy for Cervical Cancer Elimination. That strategy speaks to the need for 90 per cent of girls to be fully vaccinated for HPV by the age of 15.
Education Minister, Priya Manickchand had emphasised during the launch of the strategy in April 2024 that the vaccines were free of cost and that parents play a vital role in ensuring the lingering cervical cancer disease is erased from Guyana.
According to her, though there is a goal to reduce cervical cancer by 90 per cent, she foresees that if Guyanese publicise the need for the vaccine, especially among girls, there would be no cases of cervical cancer throughout Guyana by 2030.
In addition, the Health Minister had alluded to some of the targets set by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to significantly reduce cervical cancer cases by 2030. This includes having 70 per cent of women screened by the age of 35, and again by age 45.
Cervical cancer is a growth of cells that starts in the cervix, the lower part of the uterus and can be prevented by taking the HPV vaccine. (G3)