The military’s gender development program vaccinated a 84 female soldiers and 12 female civilian employees to protect them from the transmission of human papillomavirus.

Major Rosa Maria Christina Manuel, executive officer of the 10th Civil-Military Operations Battalion, said the first batch was vaccinated Wednesday in the program that aims to cater to 36 female officers, 52 enlisted women and 12 civilian employees of the Eastern Mindanao Command and 10th Infantry Division.

Manuel said those who received the first doze of the vaccine will be vaccinated again on February 25 and July 25.

Prior to the vaccination, Dr. Carol Flavier of the Davao Doctors’ Hospital gave a lecture on the HPV, saying it is a common illness but is generally unknown to those afflicted due to lack of information and education.

She said HPV infection occurs without any symptom and those with strong immune system often have higher chance to tolerate the illness and eventually get away with it.

Flavier said 12 women die every day with HPV because they are unaware that they have it.

She said that there are about 100 types of HP Viruses, by which some are transmitted sexually.warts and sometimes cancer.

“It is important for women to follow the ABCD’s in avoiding and preventing said virus. First, is abstinence since it is sexually transmitted in common; second is being faithful to sexual partner; third are circumcision and the use of condom and lastly is doctor’s call,” Flavier said.

She also encouraged women who are sexually active to have Pap smear once a year since they are more prone to HPV.