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CURRENT ISSUES FACING THE INTRODUCTION OF HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS VACCINE IN MALAYSIA

CONCLUSION

Mortality from cervical cancer has undoubtedly been reduced by effective Pap smear screening programmes. Nevertheless, such programmes are costly and difficult to implement in resource-poor settings. The development of highly effective HPV vaccines is thus an important breakthrough as it offers great potential to reduce the incidence of cervical cancer, other HPV-related diseases, and the associated economic and psychological burden.

In order for HPV vaccination to be successfully implemented, social and political issues need to be addressed and agreed upon by stakeholder groups, including physicians, public health officers, parents, adolescents, and community leaders. Limited knowledge about HPV and HPV-associated disease may affect vaccine acceptability. Successful vaccine implementation thus would require educating the general public about HPV, to increase awareness, de-stigmatize HPV infection, and gain acceptance of vaccines.

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