Chile launches HPV prevention drive

More than 450,000 young girls in Chile are to be vaccinated against the human papillomavirus (HPV) as part of a vaccination drive launched on Tuesday by President Michelle Bachelet.

"It is going to protect you against diseases in later life, mainly cervical cancer, which can take an average of 20 years to manifest itself, as well as other afflictions the virus can cause in your adolescence or adult life," Bachelet told the students and healthcare workers taking part in the launch ceremony at the Victor Cuccuini de Recoleta Elementary School in Santiago.

Chile launched the campaign against the sexually transmitted infection for the first time last year, vaccinating more than 100,000 girls in fourth grade.

It has expanded the drive this year to include fifth graders, getting their second vaccines, and sixth and seventh graders getting their first.

As of 2016, all girls enrolled in elementary schools will be protected against the virus to cut the incidence of such cancers, according to the campaign plan.

In Chile, more than 600 women die each year from cervical and uterine cancers, and the virus has caused some 70 percent of these cases.

"We are taking a new step towards equality in access to healthcare, because prior to 2013, only those who could pay for the vaccine received it," said Bachelet.

Since 2014, the government has made the vaccine available free of charge. Endit