Rising gas prices, rent, and tuition forced Hai and his wife in Hanoi to re-evaluate their monthly spending. Despite this, the couple allocated a specific amount to vaccinate their 14-year-old son against HPV.

Two years prior, Hai's cousin was diagnosed with HPV-related cancer in his 40s. The prolonged treatment led to declining health and continuously mounting costs. This experience prompted Hai to research HPV and the diseases the virus can cause in both males and females.

The couple began cutting back on weekend coffee, postponed upgrading their phones, and divided the vaccination cost into monthly installments. With a total family income of approximately 15-18 million VND per month, many advised him to delay the plan. However, Hai chose early vaccination, wanting to proactively prevent the disease while his child was still in the optimal age range for a strong immune response.

"Vaccination is an expense that can be planned for. If we wait until an illness strikes to treat it, the costs and emotional burden could be far greater," he said.

Parents balance the cost of HPV vaccination for their children. Photo: Binh An

Cam Hong, a vendor in An Giang, also chose to save so her two daughters could receive the HPV vaccine. As a single mother, her income from the market stall primarily covered living expenses and tuition. Therefore, every medical expenditure had to be planned in advance.

A few years ago, when her older daughter was over 20, Hong learned about the HPV vaccine. At this age, her daughter required three doses over six months. To adhere to the vaccination schedule, Hong had to cut some household expenses.

Learning from this, this year, when her younger daughter was 12 years old, Hong proactively prepared earlier. After consultation, she chose the 9-valent HPV vaccine to provide her daughter with enhanced protection against HPV types linked to genital diseases and certain cancers.

"Having saved for my child's vaccination, I want her to be protected as early and comprehensively as possible," Hong shared.

Doctor, Specialist Level One Danh Thi My Hong, Medical Manager at VNVC Vaccination System, stated that many parents no longer wait for their children to become adults before considering the HPV vaccine. Even with tight budgets, some families view this as a long-term health investment for their children.

According to Doctor Hong, early vaccination also helps parents with financial planning. Children aged 9 to under 15 years typically require only a two-dose regimen, whereas individuals aged 15 years or older need three doses. The interval between doses can extend 6-12 months, making it easier for families to spread out the costs.

Studies indicate that a two-dose regimen in adolescents generates an immune response comparable to a three-dose regimen in older groups. Therefore, vaccinating within the recommended age not only enhances protection but also reduces the number of injections and increases the likelihood of completing the schedule.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends HPV vaccination for children aged 9-14 years, before potential exposure to the virus. At this stage, children's immune systems typically respond well, helping the body produce protective antibodies.

HPV is a common virus, primarily transmitted through skin-to-skin or mucous membrane contact during sexual activity. Some HPV types can cause genital warts; certain high-risk types are associated with cervical, vulvar, vaginal, anal cancers, and precancerous lesions. The vaccine does not treat existing HPV infection but helps prevent the HPV types covered by the vaccine if administered on schedule.

Children receive vaccines to prevent cancers caused by the HPV virus at VNVC Vaccination System. Photo: Khanh Hoa

Doctor Hong emphasized that compared to the cost of treating an illness, prevention is a predictable and proactive expense. Cancer treatment is often prolonged, costly, can lead to loss of income for the patient, and affects the entire family.

According to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), investing in HPV vaccination, screening, and treatment can yield economic benefits greater than the costs incurred, while also reducing the burden on the healthcare system.

"In a volatile economic climate, vaccinating children early is not just about protecting their health, but also about helping families mitigate future financial risks," Doctor Hong said.

Binh An