“HPV Vaccination Philippines is facing new challenges…”

Based on reporting from The Manila Times (July 15, 2025) by Allen Limos, summarizing findings presented by Dr. Ourland Tantengco from the Defeat HPV (D-HPV) Study, University of the Philippines Manila.

Article Re-Share (Source: The Manila Times, July 15, 2025)

A NEW study found that 1 in 7 women in the country are likely to test positive for human papillomavirus (HPV), a finding that challenges long-held assumptions about the types of HPV most prevalent among Filipinas.
Dr. Ourland Tantengco presented in Manila on Monday the findings from the Defeat HPV (D-HPV) Study, a comprehensive community-based research project that tracked over 1,100 women from both Tondo, Manila, and Naic, Cavite — representing both urban and rural populations.

The goal is to update the country’s outdated HPV infection data, last collected in 1998.

Tantengco likened the usage of old data to using an old phone with modern apps, saying, “You can’t fight today’s public health threats with outdated data. Our study shows that the most common HPV genotype now is not what we’ve been preparing for. And that has major implications for vaccination and screening.”

The study, led by the University of the Philippines Manila, revealed that HPV type 52 — not the traditionally feared types 16 and 18 — is now the most common high-risk HPV strain found among women in these areas.

In Tondo, 15.1 percent of women tested positive for HPV, with over 23 percent of those infected carrying multiple genotypes — a factor known to increase cancer risk.
In Naic, 12.8 percent of women were infected, and one in four of them had multiple strains.

Tantengco also pointed out that HPV 52 infections are rising among women with no signs of cervical abnormalities, suggesting the virus is silently circulating and may lead to cancers years later if left unaddressed.

In younger age groups, infection rates are particularly alarming. In women ages 30 and below, HPV prevalence reached up to 30 percent, with many showing signs of high-risk genotypes.

Initiatives by the Department of Health only offer free quadrivalent vaccines for ages 9 to 14. The vaccine only covers a few variants.
Tantengco said, “We need to protect the women who are infected by the other HPV genotypes,” referring to those at high risk for cervical cancer.

Only the more advanced nonavalent vaccine offers some protection against it, but it remains costly and less accessible.
“If we’re still using vaccines that only protect certain genotypes of HPV, we’re leaving many Filipinas unprotected,” Tantengco warned. “We need to re-evaluate our vaccine strategy and make the broader-coverage vaccines available to the public.”

Cervical cancer remains the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among Filipino women. Globally, 90 to 95 percent of cervical cancer cases are caused by HPV infection.
The Philippines, like many low- and middle-income countries, suffers from low screening rates and limited access to HPV DNA testing, which can cost between P5,000 and P10,000, well beyond the means of most Filipino women.

Commentary: Why This Matters for Every Filipina (and Every Family)

The D-HPV Study is a wake-up call. For years, HPV vaccination and cervical cancer prevention programs in the Philippines — and in many other countries — have focused primarily on HPV 16 and 18, the two types historically responsible for the largest share of cervical cancers worldwide. That focus made sense when those were the dominant threats and when earlier vaccines could only protect against a limited number of strains.

But data has changed. And when data changes, strategy must follow.

Key Shift: HPV 52 Is Now Leading in the Study Communities

The study shows HPV 52 emerging as the most common high-risk genotype among women sampled in Tondo (urban) and Naic (rural). This matters because:

• Many existing public-sector vaccination programs still rely on quadrivalent (4-strain) HPV vaccines (commonly called Gardasil 4), which protect against HPV types 6, 11, 16, and 18.
• HPV 52 is not included in the quadrivalent vaccine.
• Some limited cross-protection against non-vaccine oncogenic types (including 31, 33, 45, sometimes 52) has been observed in certain studies with earlier vaccines — but the protection is partial, inconsistent, and not reliable at the population level.

If HPV 52 is driving infection in your community, then relying on a vaccine that does not directly cover it is like wearing a raincoat with holes and hoping the weather stays dry.

Enter Gardasil 9 Vaccine: Direct Coverage of HPV 52 (and More)

Gardasil 9 (the nonavalent HPV vaccine) expands protection beyond 16 and 18 to include 31, 33, 45, 52, and 58, in addition to the low-risk 6 and 11 that cause most genital warts. That means:

*Model-based global estimates; actual protection depends on population genotype distribution and vaccination coverage.

Given the rise of HPV 52 in local Philippine data, Gardasil 9 offers a materially better match to current risk.

Cost Reality: Is Gardasil 9 Vaccine Price Really “Too Expensive”? Let’s Compare.

One of the most common concerns raised by parents, clinics, and even local government units is the Gardasil 9 vaccine price.

At first glance, it may seem expensive. But when you look beyond the price per dose and consider the breadth of protection and long-term value, the picture changes significantly—especially in high-risk settings like the Philippines.

📊 Current Market Prices (Philippines Context)

Approximate private-sector retail prices (may vary depending on supplier, location, and procurement volume):

• Gardasil 4 (Quadrivalent Vaccine): ~₱3,500–₱4,000 per dose
• Gardasil 9 (Nonavalent Vaccine): ~₱7,500–₱10,000 per dose

This difference often leads families to choose the more affordable option—without realizing that coverage matters just as much as cost.

🎯 Why the Gardasil 9 Vaccine Price Needs Context

With emerging local data showing HPV 52 as a leading high-risk strain , choosing a vaccine that does not directly cover this genotype may leave women vulnerable.

While earlier vaccines (like Gardasil 4) offer protection against HPV 16 and 18, they do not include HPV 52, and any cross-protection is:

• Partial
• Inconsistent
• Not reliable at the population level

👉 In simple terms:
Choosing a lower-cost vaccine without full coverage may lead to higher long-term health and financial costs.

💡 Accessing a More Affordable Gardasil 9 Vaccine Price

The good news is that the Gardasil 9 vaccine price is not fixed.

Through:

• Advocacy programs
• NGO-led initiatives
• Pooled procurement
• LGU and clinic partnerships

…the cost can be significantly reduced.

At CerviQ and partner clinics, we are able to offer Gardasil 9 at a discounted price of approximately ₱6,000 per dose, making broader protection more accessible to more Filipino families.

👉 This reflects our commitment to not just promote vaccination—but to make the most effective protection realistically attainable.

⚖️ Value vs Cost: What Are You Really Paying For?

When comparing vaccine options, consider:

• Coverage: Gardasil 9 protects against 9 HPV types, including HPV 52
• Prevention: Up to ~90% protection against cervical cancers (model estimates)
• Long-term savings: Reduced need for:
  • Biopsies
  • LEEP procedures
  • Chemotherapy and radiation

For younger adolescents (ages 9–14), the 2-dose schedule further reduces total cost—especially when accessed through discounted programs.

🔔 Bottom Line

If you have the option and can access it at a reasonable cost:

👉 Go for Gardasil 9 Vaccine. 

Because in the context of evolving HPV patterns in the Philippines,
broader protection today means fewer risks tomorrow.

What Should Parents and Women Do Now?

If You’re a Parent of a Preteen (Ages 9–14)

• Check your barangay or school-based program. If only Gardasil 4 is offered and Gardasil 9 is unaffordable, still vaccinate — some protection (esp. 16/18) is far better than none.
• If your family can upgrade, ask your pediatrician or local women’s health clinic about Gardasil 9 availability.

If You’re 15 or Older and Not Yet Vaccinated

• You can still benefit from HPV vaccination, even if you are sexually active. Talk to a gynecologist or infectious disease specialist.
• If cost is a barrier, explore pooled events, NGO drives, and regional procurement programs.