The annual, free HPV vaccination drive for school age children and young adults, ages 9-25, returns this September and October in an effort to prevent certain cancers caused by the human papillomavirus.
HPV comprises a group of over 200 viruses that can cause warts and cancers, such as cervical, oral and throat cancers. The Gardasil 9 vaccine against certain strains of HPV serves to prevent these potentially deadly cancers, explained Minister of Health Katherine Ebanks-Wilks.
“It gives us an opportunity to be proactive in fighting cancer rather than being reactive. As Minister of Health, my aim is to strengthen our preventative measures in healthcare, ensuring we can prevent cancer diagnoses before they occur,” Ebanks-Wilks said in a press release.
The school vaccination drive will begin in October and the drive by private sector providers will begin 1 Sept.
In addition to public health clinics, participating private clinics include Cayman Clinic, Doctor’s Hospital, Health City Cayman Islands, Integra Healthcare, Savannah Medical Centre and Seven Mile Medical Centre.
To access vaccinations at participating schools, parents will need to complete a consent order, allowing the vaccine to be administered by a school health nurse.
The free Gardasil 9 vaccine drive is being coordinated by the Ministry of Health, Environment and Sustainability, the Public Health Department and the Cayman Islands Cancer Society.
HPV vaccines are also available by appointment every Wednesday from 2-4pm at the Public Health Clinic and every Friday from 1-4pm at the Women’s Health Clinic in George Town. Appointments can be made by calling 244-2648 or 244-2889.
Vaccinations through the Public Health Department will also available at the following locations and dates:
- West Bay Clinic: Monday, 25 Aug., 5- 7pm
- Bodden Town Clinic: Wednesday, 3 Sept., 4-7pm
- Conquering Cancer Health Fair, Hotel Indigo Grand Cayman: Saturday, 13 Sept., 9am-3pm
Private clinics interested in providing free HPV vaccines can contact Taneil Lee at the Ministry of Health at [email protected].
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