Cervical Cancer: Ghana Rolls Out Free HPV Vaccination Campaign for 2.4 Million Girls

The Minister for Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, has officially launched the National Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccination Campaign, a significant milestone in Ghana's fight against cervical cancer. The campaign, which runs for five days across all 16 regions, aims to vaccinate 2.4 million girls aged 9 to 14 years against the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), the leading cause of cervical cancer.

Describing the initiative as "a historic step in women's health," Minister Akandoh emphasized that the vaccine is safe and effective in preventing cervical cancer. He noted that Ghana records nearly 3,000 new cases of cervical cancer each year, resulting in approximately 2,000 deaths. The Minister urged parents to take advantage of the free vaccine to protect their daughters.

The Director-General of the Ghana Health Service, Prof. Samuel Kaba Akoriyea, highlighted that the initiative promotes equality in healthcare access. "For over a decade, only those who could afford the HPV vaccine could get it. Today, it is free and available to every eligible girl. This is a victory for equity and prevention," he stated.

The vaccine being used is the Gardasil 4 vaccine, which has been approved by both the World Health Organization (WHO) and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Minister Akandoh reassured parents that the vaccine is safe and not linked to any conspiracy theories, urging all caregivers to have their daughters vaccinated.

The Minister expressed gratitude to partners, including the WHO, UNICEF, Gavi, USAID, CDC, PATH, health workers, and the media, for their vital support in making the campaign possible. The campaign will be delivered mainly through schools and community outreach programs to ensure all eligible girls are reached.

The Minister added that Ghana's nationwide rollout follows successful pilot programs and will be integrated into the country's routine immunization schedule after the campaign. The campaign runs until Sunday, October 11, and the Ministry of Health is urging all parents and guardians to ensure that their daughters between 9 and 14 years receive the free HPV vaccine.

Source - Lead News Online