Ghana launches HPV vaccine drive in Eastern and Volta Regions

Health authorities in Ghana’s Eastern and Volta Regions are launching a two-round vaccination drive to provide free Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines to girls aged nine to 14. The Periodic Intensification of Routine Immunisation (PIRI) exercise is scheduled to run from 28 September to 2 October 2026, and again from 23 to 27 November 2026. Vaccination teams will target schools, communities, and designated points to reach girls who missed previous doses.

The Ghana Health Service (GHS) is also working to address misinformation regarding the vaccine. Dr. Selorm Kutsoati, Acting Programme Manager for the Expanded Programme on Immunisation, clarified that the vaccine does not cause infertility, does not stop menstruation, and has not caused deaths. He noted that approximately 1.8 million girls were vaccinated during last year’s campaign.

Dr. Moses Barima Djimatey, Eastern Regional Deputy Director of Public Health, emphasized that the vaccine is a safe and effective tool for preventing cervical cancer. The current initiative aims to close the vaccination gap by reaching both in-school and out-of-school girls through coordinated community efforts.