Mongolia has included the cervical cancer prevention vaccine in its national vaccination schedule, starting in November of last year. The vaccine is being administered to 11-year-old girls and boys, with around 70,000 children in this age group expected to receive the vaccination. To date, more than 30,000 children have been vaccinated, meaning that vaccination coverage across the country is at 40 percent, or one in four children.

According to O.Dashpagma, the Head of the Immunization Department at the National Center for Communicable Diseases (NCCD), “If any child has missed the scheduled vaccination, they are eligible to catch up through supplemental immunization. The vaccine is provided free of charge at local health centers, regardless of residence, so parents are encouraged to visit the nearest clinic. Additionally, children aged 12 to 14 can receive the vaccination with a single dose, and those aged 15 and older can voluntarily receive the vaccine at NCCD.”

Last year, 521 cases of cervical cancer were recorded nationwide, with 167 women dying from the disease. The central region of Mongolia has seen the highest rates of both incidence and mortality. Provinces of Bulgan, Darkhan-Uul, Khentii, Selenge, and Tuv have the highest number of cases. While the cases of cervical cancer are relatively low in Orkhon and Govi-Altai provinces, the mortality rate remains high. This is largely due to people seeking medical care only at later stages of the disease.