Ghana starts two-phase HPV vaccination drive

The Ghana Health Service has launched a nationwide effort to immunise girls aged nine to 14 against cervical cancer, with the first round running from October 19 to 23.

The story, at a glance

The first phase of the intensified HPV immunisation exercise began on October 19 and concludes on October 23, targeting girls who have not yet been vaccinated.
A second round is scheduled for late November and early December to ensure comprehensive coverage across the country.

The Ghana Health Service (GHS) has initiated an intensified human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign in schools across the country to boost uptake among girls aged nine to 14. According to AllAfrica, the two-round initiative is scheduled to run from October to December 2026, with the first phase beginning on Monday, October 19, and ending on Friday, October 23. The second round is set to take place from November 30 to December 4. The exercise is being conducted jointly with the Ghana Education Service via its School Health Education Programme and other partners.

In a statement reported by AllAfrica, GHS Director-General Dr Samuel Kaba Akoriyea stated that the nationwide exercise aims to raise awareness and protect girls who had not yet received the vaccines. He noted that health teams would visit schools nationwide to give the shots, intending to bolster routine immunisation and shield against cervical cancer and related illnesses.

MyJoyOnline reported that the Savannah Regional Health Directorate prioritised the vaccine for girls in the targeted age group across all seven districts in the region. The Directorate held a press briefing in Damongo to heighten stakeholder awareness. While the initial regional campaign targeted 48,835 eligible girls, it reached 42,167, leaving a deficit of 6,668 girls. Regional Director Dr John Ekow Otoo stated that the current exercise aims to address this gap, noting that immunising girls before viral exposure offers the strongest defence.

The Ghanaian Times, via AllAfrica, described the campaign as a critical public health intervention, noting that Ghana faces approximately 3,000 new cases and 2,000 deaths from cervical cancer annually. The publication highlighted that HPV vaccination was introduced into the national immunisation programme in September 2025. It argued that the success of the current drive depends on the cooperation of parents, schools, and health authorities to combat misinformation and ensure that out-of-school girls are also reached. The GHS aims to lift immunisation coverage so that every eligible girl is included, according to MyJoyOnline.

Ghana starts two-phase HPV vaccination drive in schools

The story, at a glance

Behind this report

Related source headlines

Sources and further reading