This week marked a meaningful and promising step forward in the fight against cervical cancer in the Philippines, as scholars from University of California San Diego visited the country to explore a potential research collaboration focused on HPV vaccination Philippines. This study on HPV vaccination Philippines aims to identify key barriers to vaccine uptake and support evidence-based public health interventions.
Ms. Charlene Ramos is pursuing a doctorate in Economics, while Ms. Denisse Cornejo is an undergraduate junior in the same field—both bringing a fresh, analytical lens to one of the most urgent public health challenges affecting Filipino women today.
🎯 The Central Questions Focused in HPV Vaccination Philippines
Their study seeks to answer a deceptively simple yet critical question:
👉 Why are Filipino parents not getting their daughters vaccinated against HPV?
Despite the availability of free vaccines through government programs, uptake remains inconsistent across the country.
🔍 The Three Key Barriers
These identified barriers are not new. Previous engagements with key stakeholders—including collaboration with the Department of Education in the National Capital Region—have already highlighted similar challenges within school-based immunization programs.
👉 See earlier efforts in action: [LINK TO DEPED NCR BLOG]
The research narrows the issue down to three possible “binding constraints”:
🔵 1. Trust and Misinformation
- Lingering effects of the Dengvaxia controversy
- Concerns about vaccine safety and fertility
- Distrust in institutions
👉 “Ayoko pabakunahan anak ko…”
🟡 2. Consent Friction (Process Barriers)
- Complicated consent forms
- Parents not present during school distribution
- Unclear schedules and lack of follow-up
👉 “Gusto ko sana… pero hindi ko naasikaso.”
🔴 3. Delivery Failures (System Gaps)
- Vaccination teams unable to arrive or complete sessions
- Lack of follow-up for absent students
- Limited manpower and logistical challenges
👉 “Ready na sana… pero walang dumating.”
🧪 The Goal of the Study
The objective is clear:
✅ Identify which of these barriers matters most so that the Department of Health Philippines can invest in the most effective solutions.
🇵🇭 A Week of Immersion on the Ground
The visiting team spent a week immersing themselves in real-world Philippine healthcare settings:
- Monday: Initial discussions and introductions at Pablo Bistro, located within the Picasso Boutique Serviced Residences in Makati
- Tuesday: Cervical cancer screening session at Mother Therese Mother’s Clinic in Baliwag, Bulacan
- Wednesday: Screening session at Health Screen Laboratory and Diagnostic Center in partnership with the Bureau of Fire Protection – District 3
- Thursday: Closeout meeting to explore collaboration pathways and long-term strategy
These activities provided valuable exposure—not just to vaccination challenges, but to the broader cervical cancer landscape, including screening, awareness, and treatment.
🌍 Toward a Bigger Vision: 90–70–90
The discussions extended beyond vaccination alone and aligned with the global strategy of World Health Organization:
- 90% of girls fully vaccinated with HPV vaccine
- 70% of women screened by ages 35 and 45
- 90% of women with disease receiving treatment
This collaboration envisions a phased, long-term study that integrates all three pillars—vaccination, screening, and treatment—toward the elimination of cervical cancer in the Philippines.
🤝 A Multi-Sectoral Collaboration
This initiative is not limited to a single organization.
Alongside CerviQ – End Cervical Cancer Philippines Organization Inc., the partnership will also involve the Inner Wheel Club of the Philippines District 383, with incoming District Chairman Dr. Jo Marcial, PhD, bringing further strength through community engagement and advocacy.
💡 Looking Ahead
The initial discussions have been encouraging, and while the project is still in its early stages, the outlook is positive.
In a world where collaboration transcends borders, even the potential support from international partners is already a step forward.
Because ultimately:
👉 A win for collaboration is a win for Filipino women.
👉 And every step brings us closer to eliminating cervical cancer in the Philippines.
