Story By: Akua Oteng Amponsah
Ghana has received a shipment of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines aimed at preventing cervical cancer.
The initial batch consists of 441,860 doses, marking the start of a nationwide rollout designed to reduce the incidence of one of the most common and preventable cancers affecting women.
The delivery is part of a larger shipment, with over 2.5 million doses of the HPV vaccine expected to be delivered to Ghana in the coming weeks.
This will support a five-day national immunisation campaign scheduled for September 2025, led by the Ghana Health Service.
The campaign aims to protect girls and women from cervical cancer, a preventable yet widespread disease. Following the campaign, the vaccine will be offered free of charge as part of the routine immunisation programme for girls turning nine years old.
Cervical cancer is the most common cancer caused by a viral infection of the female reproductive tract.
Despite being among the most easily preventable cancers in women, efforts to control it are hindered by limited knowledge about the disease, poor access to preventive services, and the affordability of such services.
UNICEF Ghana described the inclusion of the HPV vaccine in the national Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) as “a significant step in the right direction.”
“Preventing cervical cancer allows girls to grow into healthy women, mothers, and leaders who can contribute meaningfully to society,” the organisation stated. “This initiative marks a significant advancement in promoting public health in Ghana, ensuring that future generations of women are safeguarded against cervical cancer.”
