HPV Vaccination Campaign in Chikwawa Malawi Aims to Reduce Cervical Cancer Risk

A three-day Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign for girls aged 9 to 14 years old began in Chikwawa, Malawi, on May 29, 2023, writes Comfort Bulangete.

Mikolongo Primary School learners showing their HPV vaccination cards.

Chikwawa, Malawi-A three-day Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign for girls aged 9 to 14 years old began in Chikwawa, Malawi, on May 29, 2023, writes Comfort Bulangete.

The campaign is being led by the Chikwawa District Health Office and is funded by the international humanitarian organization Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF).

The goal of the campaign is to reduce the risk of cervical cancer, which is the most common cancer among women in Malawi. HPV is a sexually transmitted infection that can cause cervical cancer.

The HPV vaccine can protect girls from getting HPV and developing cervical cancer.

The vaccination campaign targets all girls aged 9 to 14 years old in Chikwawa.

The vaccine is being administered at schools and health centres across the district.

Ebenezer Lexta Banda, Expanded Programme on Immunisation Coordinator for Chikwawa District Health Office, said:

"We are very pleased with the progress of the HPV vaccination campaign. We have already reached 35% of our target population on the first day of the campaign, and we are confident that we will be able to reach all girls in the district by the end of the campaign.

"We are grateful to MSF for their support of this important campaign. Their funding has made it possible for us to reach all girls in the district with the HPV vaccine."

So far, the campaign has been well-received by the community. On the first day of the campaign, 35% of girls in the target age group had received the vaccine.

MSF is pleased with the progress of the campaign and is committed to working with the Chikwawa District Health Office to ensure that all girls in the district have access to the HPV vaccine.

Tiongea Gondwe, Health Promotion Officer for MSF, said:

"The HPV vaccine is a safe and effective way to protect girls from cervical cancer. We are urging all parents to allow their daughters to be vaccinated.”

The campaign is expected to continue until May 31, 2023.