#Tanzania #million #girls #vaccinated #HPV #fight #cervical #cancer
Mwanza/Geneva, April 22, 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 the campaign national vaccination of multi-age cohorts against the human papillomavirus (HPV) – the main cause of cervical cancer. The campaign, which targets more than 5 million girls aged 9 to 14, will take place from Monday April 22 to Friday April 26, 2024.
In Tanzania, cervical cancer remains a leading cause of death among women, with more than 10,800 cases and 6,800 deaths in 2022 alone, despite this cancer being preventable with a vaccine. 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 vaccine free of charge.
Efforts to increase access to the HPV vaccine across Tanzania have already made substantial progress. In 2018, the two-dose vaccination was included in the national routine immunization program for adolescent girls aged 14, demonstrating the government’s commitment to safeguarding the health and well-being of future generations.
To date, coverage with one dose of HPV vaccine has reached 79%, and 60% with two doses. We must combine efforts to ensure that every girl in Tanzania can benefit from this essential protection against this deadly but preventable disease. Following the multi-age vaccination campaign, the vaccine will continue to be routinely administered in a single dose to 9-year-old girls, which will greatly increase protection.
Tanzania’s progress in administering the HPV vaccine is part of the global initiative supported by the Vaccine Alliance, which has committed the funds and resources needed to vaccinate 86 million girls across the world by 2025.
The campaign takes place precisely during Africa Immunization Week, synchronized with World Immunization Week (April 24-30), during which routine childhood vaccinations, as well as health education sessions, will be offered to girls in schools, health facilities and community centers across the country.
Throughout this week, the Ministry of Health, Gavi, UNICEF and WHO will call on communities to push girls to get vaccinated against cervical cancer and build a future where no of them will not have to bear the brunt of this disease.
