The Vientiane Capital Department of Public Health has launched a campaign to vaccinate 10-year-old girls against cervical cancer.
Health officials emphasized that cervical cancer is linked to the human papillomavirus (HPV), which is sexually transmitted. Vaccinating girls from age 10 is a crucial step in protecting their long-term health. Each year, hundreds of women in Laos die from cervical cancer, making prevention a national priority.
The government is offering free HPV vaccinations in schools across Vientiane Capital from 3 to 19 December. The campaign aims to curb HPV transmission and reduce the future incidence of cervical cancer.
The vaccine used protects against four HPV strains—6, 11, 16, and 18—which are responsible for over 70 percent of cervical cancer cases. It is considered highly effective and safe, with any side effects typically mild and short-lived.
Nationwide Efforts
Laos expanded its HPV vaccination campaign nationwide in 2024, providing free vaccines to girls aged 10–14 in hospitals across the country. This effort is part of a broader national strategy to prevent cervical cancer.
At a media briefing organized by the Lao Front for National Development (LFND) and UNICEF, government officials reaffirmed their commitment to a school-based, nationwide immunization program. They noted that minor side effects, such as temporary pain at the injection site or a short-term fever, may occur, but the vaccine’s benefits far outweigh the risks.
The 2025 Vientiane campaign builds on the national vaccination effort launched in 2024, reinforcing the government’s focus on protecting young girls from HPV and cervical cancer.
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