Girls born in 2000 to get free vaccine against cervical cancer
National vaccination campaign against cervical cancer to target all of Malta's 12-year-old girls.
As part of a national vaccination campaign, 12-year-old girls can now be protected against cervical cancer.
The Health Department explained that the process was on hold due to an appeal which was lodged by one of the competitors.
The appeals process has now been concluded and the decision taken by Health Department was upheld.
"This means that the procurement process will now continue and in the coming weeks all girls born in the year 2000 will start to be called to avail themselves of this vaccine being offered for free by the Government of Malta," it added.
As one of the national priorities, Cervical Cancer consequences, screening and prevention have been outlined in The National Sexual Health Policy and the National Cancer Plan.
A full Health Technology Assessment was performed in 2011 with a view to introduce a national programme of HPV vaccination.
In addition with the introduction of a national HPV vaccination campaign, in 2012, a target of a one-year cohort of girls was chosen. This one-year cohort was selected from the age group of 11-16 year old girl population.
The two vaccines licensed for use in Europe, Cervarix® and Gardasil® protect against the two types of HPV, types 16 and 18, which cause about 70% of cervical cancers.
The health department explained that they do not cure existing infections, so they should be given to girls before they become sexually active.
"HPV vaccines offer the greatest health benefits to individuals who receive all three doses before having any type of sexual activity," the department said.