The World Health Organization (WHO) has reaffirmed the safety and effectiveness of the Gardasil vaccine as Ghana prepares to launch a historic nationwide Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign.
The exercise, set to begin on October 7, aims to immunize nearly 2.5 million girls aged 9 to 14 against HPV, the leading cause of cervical cancer. Health experts describe the campaign as a groundbreaking step toward eliminating preventable deaths from the disease.
Cervical cancer remains one of the deadliest health threats for women in Ghana, claiming the lives of about 2,000 women annually. Beyond the statistics, these deaths leave behind devastated families and communities, a burden that health professionals say can be avoided with timely vaccination and awareness.
To strengthen public trust in the vaccines and counter hesitancy, WHO and the Ghana Health Service (GHS) held a special training workshop for journalists in Accra. The session equipped media practitioners with accurate information on HPV, vaccine safety, and strategies to combat misinformation and disinformation surrounding immunization campaigns.
Speaking at the workshop, Dr. Fiona Braka, WHO Country Director, underscored the critical importance of vaccination in Ghana’s fight against cervical cancer.
“We know that we have challenges with access to screening and treatment. And given these limitations, this vaccine offers us the best hope we have to eliminate cervical cancer,” she emphasized.
Her call was echoed by Dr. Selorm Kutsoati, Manager of the Expanded Programme on Immunization at the Ghana Health Service. She stressed that the five-day campaign will reach every corner of the country and leave no girl behind, including those out of school.
“For this campaign, we are targeting almost 2.5 million girls. During routine immunization, we expect to reach about 440,000 girls each year. This is an age-based vaccination programme, so every eligible girl will be covered,” she said.
Dr. Kutsoati further noted that preparations are underway to make HPV vaccination a permanent part of Ghana’s routine immunization schedule, ensuring long-term protection for future generations.
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The workshop, hosted at the WHO Country Office, brought together health experts, journalists, and other stakeholders. Participants were urged to use their platforms to champion the campaign, dispel myths, and empower communities with accurate information.
As the countdown begins, health authorities are calling on parents, guardians, and community leaders to support the initiative, described as one of the most significant public health interventions in recent years, to protect Ghana’s girls and safeguard the nation’s future.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh/Joshua Kodjo Mensah
