Timor-Leste rolls out HPV vaccination program

The Government of Timor-Leste has launched a single-dose human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination program for girls aged 11–14 years.

Over 60,000 vaccine doses are already in use or reserved for the major initiative, which was announced last month. Five Timorese girls received HPV vaccine at the launch event, held in Dili.

Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women in Timor-Leste, and the addition of HPV vaccine to the country’s routine immunisation program is a significant step towards reducing related HPV disease rates among Timorese women.

The vaccine is being made available to eligible girls free of charge.

The launch of the program was supported by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance; the Australian Government; UNICEF; and the World Health Organization (WHO).

This year has seen challenges as well as progress in the control of vaccine preventable diseases in Timor-Leste – the rugged, mountainous landscapes of which pose difficulties for immunisation efforts in the country.

The Timor-Leste Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fishery and Forestry in March reported the nation’s first confirmed fatal human case of rabies to the WHO. Dr Filipe de Neri Machado (National Director of Public Health, National Institute of Public Health, Timor-Leste) spoke about that situation – and the public health response to it – at NCIRS’ most recent webinar.

NCIRS, with funding from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, is partnering with Timor-Leste – one of Australia’s nearest neighbours – on an ongoing basis to build immunisation capacity in the country, including by expanding immunisation provider learning and performance development options.