Develop of comprehensive cervical cancer prevention model for the introduction of the HPV vaccine in Bolivia

In 2010, the Bolivian Ministry of Health in collaboration with Centro de Investigación, Educación y Servicios (CIES) launched the second phase of its Human Papilomavirus (HPV) vaccination demonstration project targeting 30,000 girls in the five Bolivian states of Oruro, Chuquisaca, El Alto, Potosi, and Trinidad. The project aims to bring HPV vaccine to some of the most vulnerable populations in the country, where cervical cancer mortality remains among the highest in the world. Urban and rural areas were reached through school-based vaccination efforts and the use of mobile health units. Trained teams of local educators, parents, nurses, and physicians were critical in this effort. A strong commitment by the Ministry and CIES encouraged a merging of experience, resources, program and clinical teams. The results have been promising: coverage rates for first, second and third doses were 94.2%, 91.4% and 87.9% respectively. An innovative public education multi-media campaign supported the vaccination project through video, radio and press. The project will scale up in 2011 which will increase program coverage to 10 states including 32 municipalities and vaccinate 50,000 girls. Beyond the HPV demonstration project, the Bolivian Ministry has been working closely with CIES and with other civil society groups, including the Bolivian Cancer Society and the Bolivian Society for Obstetrics and Gynecology. Collaborating with bilateral and multilateral agencies such as PAHO and UNFPA has increased the scope and effectiveness of its cervical cancer prevention programs. The Ministry recently released a new National Cervical Cancer Plan 2010–2015 to articulate the strategy