While we’ve done a lot to catch up with backlogged surgeries and disrupted medical procedures caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, there is another area that has yet to catch up: HPV vaccinations for 13 year old girls. With at least two cohorts of teenage girls that have missed their HPV vaccinations in 2020 and 2021, what impact would this have on the incidence of cervical cancer in the years to come? We speak to Dato’ Dr Saunthari Somasundaram, President of the National Cancer Society of Malaysia to find out why it’s vital we restart this vaccination programme for girls in schools. 

Image credit: Shutterstock / Komsan Loonprom