Healthcare Program: Meeting on Cervical Cancer Vaccination

At the coordination meeting on the public-based cervical cancer (HPV) vaccination program held in Nay Pyi Taw, Union Minister for Health Professor Dr. Thet Khaing Win stated that cervical cancer is the third most common cancer among women living in developing countries.

The current cervical cancer vaccine being administered in Myanmar can protect up to 95% against infection from HPV types 16 and 18, which are the main causes of cervical cancer, and also provides protection against HPV types 6 and 11.

Starting from early December 2025, vaccination efforts will be intensified to continue immunizing out-of-school girls aged 9 to 11 years. Drawing from the experiences and opportunities gained through the public-based cervical cancer vaccination program, Myanmar will expand the vaccination coverage in August and September 2026 to include girls aged 9 to 18 years under the HPV Multi-Age Cohorts Vaccination (MAC-HPV) program.

Reports indicate that HPV vaccination can reduce HPV infection rates by 83% among girls aged 13 to 19 years, and can reduce the rate of early-stage cervical cancer by up to 31% among girls aged 15 to 19 years.