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Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women aged 20 to 45 worldwide. Every 2 minutes in the world, one woman dies from cervical cancer. In Europe, this happens every 18 minutes. Every day a woman in Bulgaria dies from this disease. In 99.7% of cases, cervical cancer is caused by HPV (human papillomavirus). This is the only cancer for which there is a vaccine. Dozens of studies conducted over the last decade have proven the efficacy, immunogenicity and safety of this vaccine. Clinical trials have shown minimal reactions typical of each vaccination (swelling, itching, redness at the injection site and, less commonly, fever, nausea and dizziness). 22 countries in Europe, as well as in Australia, Canada, the United States have included the vaccine as free, for certain contingents. In all countries with existing programs for primary and secondary prevention of cervical cancer, there is a clear trend to reduce the incidence. When given before sexual intercourse, the vaccine protects the girl from 100% of human papillomavirus infection (causing about 70% of cervical cancer cases), and the overall effectiveness against the development of precancerous conditions exceeds 90%.
There are a number of international and national recommendations prepared at expert and political level, such as those of the European Parliament, the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control / ECDC /, the Central European Vaccination Council / CEVAG /, the Bulgarian Oncogynecology Association and the Bulgarian Pediatric Association. . They all agree on the following conclusions:
In 2012, the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Bulgaria approved the National Program for Primary Prevention of Cervical Cancer 2012-2016. The main activities of the Program are aimed at providing immunization coverage among young girls to limit the spread of infection.
Such a group are 12-year-old girls before sexual intercourse, as is the practice in European countries. This is the age at which maximum efficacy of immunization against human papillomavirus is expected. The vaccine is given three times over a period of time by GPs, and the girls undergo a thorough examination before immunization. Vaccination is free and voluntary, and it is given only with the consent of the parents.
The NHIF budget provides funds for providing this vaccine in 2013 as well.
By order № RD-09-170 / 24.09.2012 of the Minister of Health, the National Coordination Council for Primary Prevention of Cervical Cancer in the Republic of Bulgaria was established. It also includes a representative of the Bulgarian Red Cross. By order of the Minister of Health, the regional coordinators have also been appointed. They formed coordination councils at the district level, which also includes a representative of the Bulgarian Red Cross.
The Bulgarian Red Cross has always supported the Ministry of Health in conducting preventive immunizations, especially in the event of an emergency epidemic situation and in registering a significant decline in the immunization coverage of certain groups of the population.
At the end of 2012, the Bulgarian Red Cross opened a green telephone line 0800 13 454 to provide information to citizens on:
The telephone post is open every day, except Saturdays and Sundays from 8.30 am to 5.00 pm
There are a number of international and national recommendations prepared at expert and political level, such as those of the European Parliament, the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control / ECDC /, the Central European Vaccination Council / CEVAG /, the Bulgarian Oncogynecology Association and the Bulgarian Pediatric Association. . They all agree on the following conclusions:
- Vaccination is the only method for effective and primary prevention of cervical cancer;
- Vaccination does NOT cancel regular prophylactic examinations against cervical cancer;
- Prevention through vaccination would affect the incidence and mortality of cervical cancer nationally only if vaccination is carried out on a population basis, ie. if the administration of vaccines against cervical cancer becomes part of the national policy of the state and is taken over by it;
- Taking into account the specifics and the lower limit for sexual intercourse for girls in Bulgaria, experts recommend mass immunization of 12-year-old girls;
- For all unvaccinated women should be organized mass cervical screening according to accepted rules and regulations;
In 2012, the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Bulgaria approved the National Program for Primary Prevention of Cervical Cancer 2012-2016. The main activities of the Program are aimed at providing immunization coverage among young girls to limit the spread of infection.
Such a group are 12-year-old girls before sexual intercourse, as is the practice in European countries. This is the age at which maximum efficacy of immunization against human papillomavirus is expected. The vaccine is given three times over a period of time by GPs, and the girls undergo a thorough examination before immunization. Vaccination is free and voluntary, and it is given only with the consent of the parents.
The NHIF budget provides funds for providing this vaccine in 2013 as well.
By order № RD-09-170 / 24.09.2012 of the Minister of Health, the National Coordination Council for Primary Prevention of Cervical Cancer in the Republic of Bulgaria was established. It also includes a representative of the Bulgarian Red Cross. By order of the Minister of Health, the regional coordinators have also been appointed. They formed coordination councils at the district level, which also includes a representative of the Bulgarian Red Cross.
The Bulgarian Red Cross has always supported the Ministry of Health in conducting preventive immunizations, especially in the event of an emergency epidemic situation and in registering a significant decline in the immunization coverage of certain groups of the population.
At the end of 2012, the Bulgarian Red Cross opened a green telephone line 0800 13 454 to provide information to citizens on:
- Terms and conditions for access to free immunization of 12-year-old girls against human papillomavirus, the cause of cervical cancer;
- Efficacy and safety of the vaccine;
- Ways to prevent and detect the disease early.
The telephone post is open every day, except Saturdays and Sundays from 8.30 am to 5.00 pm
