Cervical Cancer Prevention: HPV Vaccine Rollout Begins October 7  

Accra ,Ghana - The Ghana Health Service (GHS) is set to roll out a nationwide Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign starting October 7, 2025, targeting approximately 3 million girls aged 9 to 14 years. This initiative aims to protect adolescent girls against cervical cancer, a disease that claims hundreds of lives every year in Ghana.

Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women in Ghana, after breast cancer, and the leading cause of cancer deaths among women aged 15 to 44. According to the GHS, over 3,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer annually, with only 40% surviving the disease. Sadly, an estimated 2,000 women die each year from cervical cancer in Ghana.

The HPV vaccine rollout will begin with a five-day nationwide campaign from October 7 to 11, 2025, followed by integration into Ghana's routine immunization program. The vaccine is highly effective in preventing cervical cancer, and medical experts estimate it may prevent 70% of cervical cancers, 80% of anal cancers, and 60% of vaginal cancers. The GHS has secured over 2.5 million vaccine doses through collaboration with international partners, including UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO).

The GHS has addressed public misconceptions about the vaccine, emphasizing its safety and effectiveness. The vaccine has been used globally for almost 20 years and is not linked to infertility or early sexual activity.

By implementing this campaign, Ghana joins over 140 countries that have introduced HPV vaccination into their national routine schedules, marking a significant step towards eliminating cervical cancer as a public health problem. The campaign aligns with the WHO's 90-70-90 strategy, which aims to achieve 90% vaccination coverage of girls by age 15, ensure 70% screening coverage of women aged 35-45, and provide 90% treatment coverage for women with pre-cancerous lesions.

Source – Lead News Online/Leticia Okpoti