Health ministry launches vaccination to prevent cervical cancer

Georgia’s Health Ministry hosted a conference today to announce plans to vaccinate against the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) which is a main cause of cervical cancer in women.

The health ministry stressed the vaccines provided through the support of the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI) is "absolutely safe” and are widely used in more than 70 countries of Europe and the North American continent.

About 200 women die because of cervical cancer in Georgia annually. The involvement of the girls between 9-14 years in the immunization process will significantly decrease the figure,” Deputy Health Minister Nino Berdzuli stated.

She said in 70 percent of cases HPV causes cervical cancer.

The free vaccination will launch from December one this year in Tbilisi, Kutaisi, Adjara and Abkhazia autonomous republics.

The target group will be girls between 9 and 14 years.