Director of Family Health Services in the Ministry of Health Dr Melody Ennis says the ramped up public education campaign has led to greater acceptance of the human papillomavirus vaccine (HPV) programme in schools.
The ministry had announced the introduction of the HPV vaccine to young girls, but received backlash from the public.
But Dr Ennis says the ministry has since targeted schools, churches and community groups in their new public education campaign.
“Within the last week, just over 2,000 persons have been reached on a one to one rate with our education and we have made a marked difference. Parents are now understanding what they are about and they are willing to let their girls be vaccinated,” Dr Ennis said.
The vaccine is expected to assist in preventing cervical cancer and will be targeted at 22,338 girls in grade seven.
More than 30 schools have been visited in the last two weeks under the ministry’s vaccine programme.
Dr Ennis said more than 50 percent of the target population has been vaccinated so far, while only nine percent have opted out of the programme.
