Montenegro continues to face difficulties in implementing HPV immunization, even though the vaccine plays a key role in preventing cervical cancer and other diseases caused by this virus. In addition, insufficient vaccination leads to worrying consequences, including high rates of disease among women.
"According to the data, around 17% of boys and girls are vaccinated, while more than 100 women develop cervical cancer every year. What is particularly alarming is the fact that two-thirds of these women belong to the 30-60 age group, when quality of life is in full swing," said Dr. Ivona Drašković, epidemiologist from the Nikšić Health Center, in an interview with "Boje jutra" on TV Vijesti.
HPV vaccination is an effective and safe means of preventing the virus, which is present in a large number of people, but not every case develops into serious diseases.
"Out of 10 infected women, one to two develop a chronic infection. HPV is the most widespread virus among the human population, and globally more than 90% of people come into contact with it, although not all develop the disease," says Dr. Marija Kustudić, a gynecologist from the Budva Health Center.
Vaccination begins at the age of nine and is most effective when administered at that age. Vaccines used in Montenegro are strictly controlled and in accordance with international standards. All information about the composition of vaccines is available on the official CINMED website.
In this context, there remains concern about the increasing number of minors coming into contact with sexually transmitted diseases. Nationally, about 10.000 girls and 2.000 boys have received the HPV vaccine, says Dr. Drašković.
It is important to point out that vaccinating boys is no less important in preventing the spread of the virus and reducing the risk of developing other malignant diseases, such as penile cancer, but it also reduces the chances of transmitting the virus to female partners, doctors say.
"The youngest patient I had with sexually transmitted diseases was 14 years old. He got them from a friend. I usually tell parents – we don't live in our time, but in theirs. I am often surprised by how many minors are already having sex. When we first got the opportunity to vaccinate children, we created waiting lists because we noticed how many families had deaths or cervical cancer. The number of children registered in Kotor really surprised us and since then we have been more serious about this initiative," said Dr. Vladimir Dedović, a pediatrician from the Kotor Health Center.
The trend of avoiding vaccinations is often fueled by misinformation circulating in the media. However, experts emphasize the importance of trusting scientific studies and facts.
"The vaccinations we receive are among the best in Europe. There have been cases when parents did not want to vaccinate their children here, so they went to Western countries and brought the same serial numbers of vaccines that were used here. A good number of tourists from Serbia and Russia come to us to vaccinate their children precisely because of the high quality of our vaccines," adds Dr. Dedović.
In addition to vaccination, prevention is key, and some countries like Australia are showing that it is possible to almost eradicate this disease. Even when infection occurs, with timely examinations and simple medical procedures, HPV infection can be eliminated, concluded Dr. Kustudić.
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