Cervical Cancer Deaths Among Vaccinated Young Women in Malta: Zero in England, What About Here?

Zero Cervical Cancer Deaths Among Vaccinated Young Women in England

Imagine this: a bustling street in Sliema, late afternoon. Women of all ages, locals and tourists, going about their day. Among them, young women who, like their counterparts in England, have been given a new lease on life. Why? Because they’ve been vaccinated against cervical cancer. And now, England is reporting zero deaths from this disease among vaccinated young women.

Vaccination Success Story

In a significant turn of events, Public Health England has announced that there were no deaths from cervical cancer among women aged 20 to 29 who were fully vaccinated in 2020. This is a testament to the power of vaccination, a power that’s also available here in Malta.

Malta’s National Immunisation Programme includes the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, which protects against cervical cancer. This vaccine, given to girls and boys aged 12 to 13, is free and has been proven to be highly effective. It’s a lifesaver, quite literally.

Malta’s Cervical Cancer Battle

While the news from England is encouraging, it’s important to note that cervical cancer remains a significant health issue in Malta. According to the Maltese Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Directorate, there were 54 new cases of cervical cancer in 2019. The vaccine, along with regular cervical screening, is our best defense against this disease.

But here’s the thing: vaccination rates in Malta aren’t as high as they could be. According to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, only about 70% of Maltese girls complete the HPV vaccine course. We can, and must, do better.

Let’s learn from the success in England. Let’s make sure that every young woman in Malta has the chance to live a long, healthy life, free from the fear of cervical cancer. Let’s make sure that our streets, from Sliema to Rabat, are filled with women who know they’re protected.