The City International Hospital on June 27 donated 84 doses of Gardasil vaccine against HPV to women in difficult circumstances in HCM City's Bình Tân District. — Photo Courtesy of CIH

HCM CITY — HCM City's City International Hospital (CIH) has donated 84 doses of Gardasil vaccine, which combats human papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical cancer, to women in difficult circumstances in Bình Tân District.

The US-made Gardasil vaccine is considered safe and can be highly effective in protecting women from cervical cancer and other HPV-related infections.

The hospital provided free vaccinations for women at the hospital's vaccination centre on June 27 and 28 with the first shots.

Women will get second shots two months after the first shot, and third shots four months after the second shots, or as directed by doctors after screening.

Nguyễn Thị Thu, one of the women vaccinated to prevent cervical cancer on June 27, said when she arrived at CIH hospital, she received pre-vaccination screening and consultation by the doctors.

“I heard a lot about cervical cancer but I still don't fully understand the dangers of the disease,” she said.

She thanked the hospital’s doctors and will get vaccinated following the schedule to boost the effectiveness of the prevention.

Nguyễn Phước Đăng, deputy executive director of CIH, said cervical cancer is the third most common cancer causing death for women.

Getting vaccinated against HPV is considered the most effective preventive measure for women to reduce the risk of this dangerous disease.

“By donating the vaccine, the hospital hopes to join hands with local authorities in controlling and preventing cervical cancer,” he said.

In past years, the hospital together with local authorities have organised many activities such as visiting and presenting gifts to policy beneficiary families and people with meritorious services to the revolution, and providing free health checks and medicine.

In the coming time, it will continue collaboration with local l authorities to implement programmes to better take care of people's health.

Cervical cancer can be cured if diagnosed at an early stage and treated promptly.

Each year, Việt Nam records more than 4,000 new cases of cervical cancer and about 2,000 deaths due to this disease.

The cost of cervical cancer treatment is expensive, and this disease also has a huge impact on women’s mental health issues and happiness. — VNS