A new technical collaboration between UNFPA and MSD to support the roll-out of HPV Vaccination in Viet Nam

With a total budget of USD400,000 for three years from 2019 to 2021, the collaboration aims:

1. To generate quality evidence to inform the development of policies and programmes that address the reduction of the burden of HPV-related diseases and facilitate the scale up of an HPV vaccination programme in Viet Nam in alignment with the priorities of the local health authorities;
2. To conduct evidence-based advocacy to encourage relevant national and sub-national stakeholders to address reduction of the burden of HPV-related diseases, including facilitating the gradual scale up of an HPV vaccination programme;
3. To support the creation a national road map on HPV vaccination in Viet Nam.

Cervical cancer continues to be a major killer of women. Caused by human papillomavirus (HPV), cervical cancer claims the lives of more than 300,000 women every year, of which 85 per cent live in developing countries.

According to the World Health Organization , it is estimated that by 2030, the number of cervical cancer deaths is expected to rise to 443,000 globally, more than double the anticipated number of fatalities from pregnancy-related complications. Cervical cancer deaths have significant economic costs and impact heavily on the families' resources. The global cost of cervical cancer is expected to grow from US$2.7 billion per year in 2010 to $4.7 billion per year in 2030.

Mr. Koen Carel Kruijtbosch, Chief Representative, MSD in Viet Nam said: "Developing vaccines that help protect public health is more than a business decision; it is a shared mission. MSD is well-positioned to continue doing what we have done well over the past 130 years – inventing for life - bringing forward medicines and vaccines to address many of the world's most challenging diseases. We believe we have a role and responsibility to help ensure the right vaccines reach those who need them. Every day in Viet Nam seven women die from cervical cancer. This partnership between the UNFPA and MSD hopes to address this disease burden."

Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable and treatable forms of cancer, as long as it is detected early and managed effectively. Prevention and early treatment are also highly cost-effective.

"Evidence from international studies also confirm that a strategic combination of sufficient coverage of HPV vaccination for adolescent girls and sufficient coverage of cervical screening and appropriate treatment for all women can eliminate cervical cancer as a public health problem within our lifetime," said Ms. Astrid Bant, UNFPA Representative in Viet Nam at the signing ceremony.

UNFPA and MSD are fully committed to support the Government of Viet Nam and its partners in rolling out HPV vaccination in the country. "No husband should lose a wife, no sibling should lose a sister, no parents should lose a daughter and no child should lose a mother." concluded Ms. Bant at the event.