More than 5 million girls will be vaccinated against HPV in Tanzania to fight cervical cancer

Mwanza/Geneva, 22 April 2024 – The Ministry of Health of the United Republic of Tanzania, in partnership with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance (GAVI), UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO), today launched a national multi-age cohort vaccination campaign against human papillomavirus (HPV). ) is the leading cause of cervical cancer. Reaching more than 5 million girls aged 9 to 14, the campaign will run from Monday 22 April to Friday 26 April 2024.

In Tanzania, cervical cancer remains the leading cause of death among women, with more than 10,800 cases and 6,800 deaths reported in 2022 alone, despite the fact that the cancer is vaccine preventable. The HPV vaccine is very safe and effective in preventing infections. During the vaccination campaign, eligible young girls will be able to receive a dose of the vaccine for free.

Efforts to expand access to the HPV vaccine across Tanzania have already made significant progress. In 2018, two-dose vaccination was introduced into the national routine immunization program for adolescent girls aged 14 years, demonstrating the government’s commitment to protecting the health and well-being of future generations.

To date, one-dose HPV vaccine coverage has reached 79% and two-dose coverage has reached 60%. We must join forces to ensure that every girl in Tanzania can benefit from this important protection against this deadly but preventable disease. Following the all-ages vaccination campaign, the vaccine will continue to be given regularly as a single dose to nine-year-old girls, significantly increasing protection.

Tanzania’s progress in administering the HPV vaccine is part of a global initiative supported by the Vaccine Alliance, which has committed the funds and resources needed to vaccinate 86 million girls worldwide by 2025.

The campaign comes during Africa Immunization Week, synchronized with World Immunization Week (April 24-30), during which routine childhood vaccinations and health education sessions will be offered to girls in schools, health facilities and community centers across the country. a country.

Throughout this week, the Ministry of Health, Gavi, UNICEF and WHO will encourage communities to encourage girls to get vaccinated against cervical cancer and build a future in which none of them bear the brunt of the disease.