WASHINGTON, DC – Despite ongoing campaigns and public health messaging, vaccination rates against the human papillomavirus (HPV) among young boys and girls in St. Kitts and Nevis—and the wider Caribbean region—have remained stagnant.
In response, national health officials are ramping up efforts to promote the HPV vaccine, especially as cervical cancer remains the sixth leading cause of cancer in St. Kitts and Nevis. Experts emphasize that vaccination provides lifelong protection against HPV, which is closely linked to the development of cervical cancer.
In a statement recognizing Vaccination Week, Chief Medical Officer Dr. Hazel Laws revealed that the Federation recorded 15 new HPV-related cases between 2020 and 2024.
“By vaccinating our young people today, we are investing in their future well-being,” Dr. Laws said.
During a recent press conference, when asked by SKNVibes News about regional challenges in improving HPV vaccination rates, officials from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) acknowledged the need for stronger national initiatives.
“Specifically in the Caribbean, they have started working on national plans to increase not only the coverage of vaccination with HPV, but also increasing the screening and treatment of cancerous lesions in women in that subregion," a PAHO official said.
“The elimination of cervical cancer has been strengthened in the entire region. We hope that many countries will start putting together the national strategies to accelerate access to the HPV vaccine in children under 15 years old. That is part of the tools that we have.”
Dr. Laws confirmed that the Ministry of Health is currently offering the HPV vaccine to both girls and boys between the ages of 9 and 14. She underscored the importance of early vaccination, citing its long-term health benefits.
“This vaccine is not only safe and effective, but it also offers lifelong protection against the types of HPV most associated with the development of cervical cancer in adult women.
The science is clear: by vaccinating our young people now, we can dramatically reduce the risk of cervical cancer in adulthood. It’s an investment in the future health of our children and our communities,” she said.
