The first vaccine against cervical cancer is expected to be approved for use in Thailand by May, the Siriraj Hospital Medical Conference was told yesterday.

Two cervical vaccines were now being considered by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), said Asst Prof Chaiyod Thirapakawong, who is a member of the FDA's

advisory committee on this matter.

Dr Chaiyod said a medical recommendation was also being drafted by concerned medical associations in relation to the

vaccine.

"As far as I am concerned, the FDA will approve the vaccine for use by May," he said, adding: "But it's the FDA that will make the final decision [not us]."

However, due to the high price of the vaccines - around Bt12,000 per person - Chaiyod said he was certain the government would not cover the cost of inoculations.

"From my experience, it's highly unlikely the government will invest a huge sum in such a prevention, but will rather shoulder the burden of the disease later," the doctor said.

In Thailand, cervical cancer is the most common type of cancer among women with about 6,200 patients a year, almost half of whom eventually die, said Chaiyod, who is also a committee member the Thai Gynaecologic Cancer Society.

Globally, it is estimated that two women die of cervical cancer every minute, he said, adding that each year about 500,000 women were diagnosed with this type of cancer.

Currently, the cervical cancer vaccine has been approved for use in 52 countries, said Asst Prof Dr Suwanit Therasakvichya of Siriraj's Gynaecologic Oncology Division.

In Asia, she said, countries that had already approved the vaccine for use included Philippines, Singapore, Indonesia and Taiwan.

After approving the vaccine, the US FDA recommended that it was best used on girls aged 11 to 12, although it was still possible to cover those aged 13 to 26 years, she said.

The efficacy of the vaccine on older people was still being studied, she said.

Arthit Khwankhom

The Nation