ACROSS Ghana and much of Africa, vaccination is often met with suspicion. Some believe vaccines are tools for the West to reduce or control Africa’s population.
Others fear vaccines weaken the “natural strength” of Black people.
A common belief is that vaccines secretly reduce fertility or introduce chemicals that limit reproduction.
Some claim vaccines are linked to hidden diseases, microchips, or toxins, while others argue that traditional herbs and diets are sufficient, making vaccines unnecessary.
In certain communities, parents worry that vaccines may encourage early sexual activity or immoral behaviour. Some even think childhood vaccination interferes with religious or cultural rites of passage.
Others are concerned about side effects they’ve heard through social media or community hearsay, such as long-term illness or sudden deaths, despite no scientific evidence supporting these claims.
Some believe Black skin and African genetics are “stronger” and do not need vaccines, or that vaccines are unnecessary because African children are naturally resilient.
Others think giving vaccines to young girls encourages promiscuity. These myths, while widespread, conflict with science. Vaccines strengthen the immune system, prevent deadly diseases, and save millions of lives. They do not reduce fertility, alter genes, or control populations.
HPV and the Vaccine
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common viral infection of the reproductive system. Types 16 and 18 cause about 70 per cent of cervical cancers, which kill over 2,000 Ghanaian women each year.
The HPV vaccine prevents infection by preparing the immune system to fight the virus before exposure. Vaccination acts like a safety shield, protecting children long before the virus can cause disease.
Africa’s Evidence
African countries show that HPV vaccination works:
According to PUBMED
• Rwanda (2011 programme): School-based rollout achieved 93.23 per cent coverage in grade-6 girls for the three-dose course. Rwanda – reduction in vaccine-type HPV infections: A study in The Lancet Global Health found significant decreases in prevalence of HPV types 16/18 among vaccinated cohorts.
• South Africa (2024 single-dose study): In a district campaign, single-dose coverage was 72 per cent, and HPV 16/18 prevalence fell by 35 per cent.
• Zambia / Uganda pilot data: Although exact “50 per cent drop” numbers weren’t found in my searches, implementation reviews note early declines in HPV prevalence and cervical pre-cancerous changes after vaccine introduction in select districts.
• Botswana and Kenya achieved 70–80 per cent uptake, with falling HPV infections in vaccinated girls.
These successes show that Africa can prevent cervical cancer effectively when vaccination programmes are well organised.
4. Global Proof: Lessons from the Western World
The HPV vaccine’s success is not limited to Africa:
Australia:
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), after the HPV vaccine was introduced nationwide in 2007, HPV infections in young women dropped from 28.7 per cent to 2.3 per cent, and genital warts fell by over 90 per cent. WHO says Australia could wipe out cervical cancer by 2035.
United Kingdom (England):
The WHO says girls who got the HPV vaccine at ages 12–13 since 2008 now have about 90 per cent fewer cervical cancer cases than those not vaccinated. This finding was confirmed in The Lancet (2021).
United States:
The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that since 2006, HPV 16/18 infections have fallen by 98 per cent among vaccinated women, and about 70 per cent even among unvaccinated women. (CDC HPV Surveillance Report, 2023). This proves the vaccine works globally; Africa is no exception.
5. Why Ghana targets girls aged nine–16
Ghana vaccinates only girls aged nine–16 for biological and practical reasons:
• Biological timing: The cervix’s transformation zone is more exposed in younger girls, making early vaccination protective.
• Immunological advantage: Girls in this age group produce stronger, longer-lasting antibodies, requiring only two doses.
• School access: Most girls in this age range are in upper primary or junior high, simplifying delivery and access.
Vaccinating girls ensures they are protected before their sexual debut, which is critical for preventing cervical cancer later in life.
Addressing fears
Some parents worry that early vaccination encourages sexual activity. Research shows it does not. The vaccine is purely preventive — like giving a mosquito net before malaria season.
Building trust requires open conversations, respectful listening, and education by health workers, teachers, traditional leaders, and parents. Awareness campaigns that explain how the vaccine protects against cancer, not sexual behaviour, help reduce fear and improve uptake.
The bigger picture
Cervical cancer treatment is expensive and often inaccessible, especially in rural areas. HPV vaccination is cost-effective, prevents multiple HPV-related cancers, and protects girls for life. Early vaccination saves lives, reduces healthcare costs, and builds healthier generations.
Conclusion
Vaccination should never be forced, but parents deserve informed choices. The HPV vaccine is proven, African-tested, and globally trusted.
By choosing vaccination today, Ghanaian parents protect their daughters and contribute to a future where cervical cancer becomes history — one child, one vaccine, and one healthy generation at a time.
The writer is a medical doctor, Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) advocate, and global health enthusiast writing on youth health, preventive medicine, and public health equity in Ghana.
