University of Liberia researchers test HPV vaccine coverage

Researchers from the University of Liberia and the African Population and Health Research Center in Kenya are conducting a study to verify HPV vaccination coverage among adolescent girls in Liberia. The study follows household and school-based surveys indicating that only approximately 8% of Liberian girls aged 10 to 12 have been vaccinated against the virus linked to cervical cancer.

To validate these figures and the reliability of national vaccination records, scientists are using a mobile laboratory to test blood samples from 1,099 adolescents across all 15 Liberian counties. The testing aims to detect antibodies to determine if those who reported being vaccinated have developed a genuine immune response. This research is being conducted in collaboration with the National Public Health Institute of Liberia.