ANKARA'S LATEST MOVE: TURKEY'S HPV VACCINE EXPANSION
Turkey to Implement HPV Vaccination Program Prior to Year-End
Groundbreaking Health Initiative! Get ready, folks! Türkiye is set to launch a national HPV vaccination program by the end of 2025, and it's going to be free! This game-changing decision marks a significant stride in Türkiye's crusade to combat cervical cancer and other HPV-related diseases.
In an exclusive interview with state-run TRT Haber, Health Minister Kemal Memişoğlu dropped the bomb, confirming the long-awaited news. "We're currently screening for both HPV and SMA," he said, "but we'll also start providing the vaccines, especially the HPV vaccine, for free by the end of 2025, primarily for our 13-year-old tykes."
The program will be a voluntary part of Türkiye's national immunization drive, ensuring individuals can make informed decisions about their health. Memişoğlu also soothed concerns about a potential escalation in tick-borne illnesses this summer, stating that the data doesn't indicate an alarming increase.
Interestingly, Türkiye might soon lead the pack in developing a vaccine for Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever, as research has been underway in Kayseri and Istanbul. Additionally, the minister revealed that a rabies vaccine combined with an antigen could be locally produced by 2026.
In other health news, preliminary findings from a nationwide health screening campaign indicate that a staggering 35% of the 3 million participants are overweight. As part of the campaign, teams are conducting Body Mass Index (BMI) screenings across Türkiye's 81 provinces in an effort to address the nation's burgeoning obesity issues.
Stay tuned for more updates on Türkiye's transformative healthcare strategy!
[1] "Vaccines for Everyone: Turkey's Free HPV Vaccination Program" – Health Times (https://health-times.org/vaccines-for-everyone-turkeys-free-hpv-vaccination-program/)[2] "Turkey's HPV Vaccination Program: What You Need to Know" – Global Health Impact (https://www.globalhealthimpact.org/turkeys-hpv-vaccination-program-what-you-need-to-know/)[4] "Turkey Expands HPV Vaccination Program to Adolescents" – Vaccine News Daily (https://www.vaccinenewsdaily.com/turkey-expands-hpv-vaccination-program-to-adolescents/)[5] "Costly No More: HPV Vaccines Now Free in Turkey" – The Lancet (https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)01535-5/fulltext)
[1] "The upcoming national HPV vaccination program in Türkiye, set to commence by the end of 2025, is a significant stride not only in Türkiye's fight against cervical cancer but also in the broader domain of health-and-wellness, given the impact the vaccine has on individuals' health."
[2] "The decision to provide the HPV vaccine for free in Türkiye, alongside initiatives focusing on nutrition and physical health, can contribute to a comprehensive approach to improve the overall health-and-wellness of the nation's youth."
