Govt takes delivery of 441,860 doses of HPV vaccine

The government has taken delivery of the full complement of HPV vaccines for the prevention of cervical cancer in the country. 

The initial delivery of 441,860 doses marks the beginning of a nationwide rollout aimed at reducing one of the most common and preventable cancers affecting women.

A statement issued in Accra yesterday by UNICEF Ghana, the lead agency responsible for procuring and shipping the vaccines, said over the coming weeks, it would deliver more than 2.5 million doses of the HPV vaccine.

The delivery, the statement said, would support a five-day national immunisation campaign planned for September 2025, to be led by the Ghana Health Service.

It is aimed at protecting girls and women from cervical cancer—a widespread preventable disease.

The statement added that after the campaign, the vaccine would be offered free of charge as a routine vaccine for girls turning nine years in the country through the national routine immunisation programme.

It would also reinforce the country's commitment to safeguard the health of the people.

Cervical cancer is the commonest cancer caused by a viral infection of the female reproductive tract.

Despite being one of the most easily preventable forms of female cancers, efforts towards cervical cancer control are hindered by a lack of knowledge about the disease, risk factors, poor access to preventive services, including vaccination, and the affordability of these services.

The statement said the inclusion of the HPV vaccine in the national Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) was in the right direction.

It said the HPV vaccine had been proven to be safe and effective in preventing cervical cancer, with over 140 countries having already included the vaccine in their national routine.

It said making the vaccine available to all girls meant they would be protected long before a risk, reducing the burden they could carry into adulthood.

It further said that preventing cervical cancer would allow girls to grow into healthy women, mothers and leaders who could contribute meaningfully to society.

UNICEF is the world’s leading child rights organisation, working in over 190 countries and territories to reach every child, everywhere.

It believes in the power of every child, and it is committed to protecting and promoting their rights, including the right to health and survival.