ULAN BATOR, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- Mongolia has so far vaccinated at least 20,682 children aged 11 against human papillomavirus (HPV) as part of a nationwide campaign, according to a report released on Friday by the National Center for Communicable Diseases (NCCD).

Launched in November 2024, the vaccination campaign aims to combat cervical cancer, a significant public health concern in the country.

Hospitals nationwide are offering free HPV vaccines to 11-year-old girls and boys, provided parental or guardian consent is obtained. This follows the government's 2023 decision to include the HPV vaccine in Mongolia's National Immunization Schedule for this age group.

According to the country's health ministry, over 78,600 11-year-old children are eligible for the campaign in the nation of 3.5 million people.

The initiative is a critical part of Mongolia's broader strategy to combat HPV-related cancers, particularly cervical cancer, which is the second most common cancer among women and the fourth most prevalent cancer overall in the country.

The NCCD's statistics underline the severity of the situation: every day, at least one Mongolian woman is newly diagnosed with cervical cancer, and one woman loses her life to the disease every two days. Currently, approximately 4,700 women in Mongolia are undergoing treatment for cervical cancer.

By prioritizing HPV vaccination, the Asian country aims to drastically reduce the incidence of cervical cancer and other HPV-related illnesses, ensuring the health and well-being of future generations. Enditem

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