Evidence from clinical trials show that the HPV vaccine has an efficacy of 87 per cent in women aged 27 to 45 and even higher percentage in younger women, showing 98 per cent protection against HPV infection and the development of cervical cancer.
Although the vaccine targets four strains (HPV types 6, 11, 16 and 18), there are over 100 strains capable of causing cervical cancer and thus women should still go for PAP smear screening.
Recently, Hjh Salmah Hj Mohd with the Nursing and Midwifery Team of the Pengiran Anak Puteri Rashidah Sa’adatul Bolkiah Institute of Health Sciences (PAPRSB IHS) launched a HPV vaccination programme at Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD). This is a joint initiative between UBD and the Ministry of Health (MoH). Immunisations were performed by Nursing and Midwifery staff at PAPRSB Institute of Health Sciences, UBD and staff nurses from School Health Services led by Dr Siti Rosemawati, Senior Medical Officer in charge of the School Health.
The event included a briefing and was attended by staff and students from various faculties of the university, presided over by the Deputy Dean Rozita Haji Tamin.
The launching also saw a short video presentation to provide a background on the challenges presented by Cervical Cancer, a disease caused by Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) and the global preventive initiatives taken.
Made from the viral coat of HPV, the vaccine mimics the structure of the native virus but does not contain any viral DNA so cannot cause infection and is the first vaccine that targets a virus to prevent cancer that has proven to be very successful.
The vaccine used in IHS is called Gardasil and it is a quadrivalent vaccine specific to the four most disease causing strains of HPV.
The programme turned out a great success and following registration and briefing, suitability for vaccination was assessed prior to the administration of the vaccines with the first of three doses of vaccine administered and everyone completed a form and vaccination booklet to log the next two doses at periods of one and six months.
Sources from Merck stated that the people of Brunei are very fortunate to have this opportunity as the vaccine is given free to citizens and permanent residents while green IC holders pay $200 (for all 3 doses) at the Vaccination Centre, Ong Sum Ping Condominium, in the capital.
A medical student who received the vaccine said she felt reassured to be protected from the second most common cause of cancer in women in Brunei where she didn’t have to think twice about getting the vaccine.
Another media student from FASS shares that it does hurt, but it’s worth it for her own good in the future, to prevent from getting cervical cancer.
Meanwhile a member staff said it wasn’t too painful, and would definitely come back for the second dose and they were also impressed by the information provided and thought it was good preventive measure.
Dr Siti Rosemawati expressed delight to see that the event had run so smoothly and there was such a good uptake, adding that IHS is clearly an excellent location for mass vaccination programmes.
Hjh Salmah on the other hand was delighted with the response by the staff and students of UBD.
“‘I feel great, so happy – there has been an overwhelming response from the female students and staff from UBD. Clearly there is an excellent awareness of Cervical Cancer in UBD. Staff and students at UBD are clearly very health conscious.”
This event was an example of successful collaboration between IHS, the International and Public Relations Office (IPRO), and MoH and it builds on previous successful vaccination programmes for H1N1 (Swine Flu) in 2010 and serves as part of the Faculty’s on-going community outreach programme.
Ultimately, 126 women were vaccinated against HPV and consequently their risk from developing cervical cancer will be significantly reduced where this initiative is likely to have an impact on the incidence of cervical cancer in Brunei Darussalam, which is currently the second most common cancer in the country.
PAPRSB Institute of Health Sciences is proud to be working with the female staff and students of UBD to improve health and promote awareness of a potentially devastating disease.
