LAOAG CITY, Philippines — Ilocos Norte has become the first province in the Philippines to surpass the 90-percent benchmark for human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination among girls aged 9 to 14, recording 95.7 percent first-dose coverage, according to the Department of Health-Ilocos Region.
A total of 22,039 girls received the first dose.
Under the World Health Organization's 90-70-90 strategy for cervical cancer elimination, 90 percent of girls should be fully vaccinated against HPV by age 15.
The strategy also calls for 70 percent of women to be screened by ages 35 and 45, and 90 percent of women with cervical disease to receive treatment by 2030.
In 2022, the Philippines recorded an estimated 8,549 new cervical cancer cases and 4,380 deaths, or about 12 deaths each day.
Ilocos Norte's figures were presented during the “From Milestone to Movement: Ilocos Norte Sets National Model for a Cervical Cancer-Free Philippines” media forum in Laoag City.
