Health and education stakeholders in the Bolgatanga Municipality have held a microplanning meeting to map out strategies for the smooth rollout of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign, scheduled for October 7–11, 2025.
The meeting forms part of Ghana’s nationwide effort to integrate the HPV vaccine into its routine immunization schedule, a major step in the country’s fight against cervical cancer.
The HPV vaccine, which was successfully piloted in the Central and Northern Regions between 2013 and 2015, targets girls aged 9 to 14 years to protect them against cervical cancer—one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among women in Ghana. After the mass campaign, the vaccine will be incorporated into routine immunization services nationwide.
Speaking in an interview on the sidelines of the meeting, Alhassan Lawal, Bolgatanga Municipal Director of Health Services, described cervical cancer as a “silent killer” that often goes undetected until its late stages.
“Cervical cancer has been a major health concern globally. At the early stages, it is asymptomatic—women may live and work without realizing they have it. By the time it is detected, it is often advanced, and the fatality rate is very high. Statistics show that more than 50% of women diagnosed do not survive,” he said.
Mr. Lawal explained that health teams will visit schools across the municipality to vaccinate eligible girls with a single dose that provides lifetime protection. He emphasized that the vaccine is safe, effective, and has minimal side effects.
“We want to assure parents and all stakeholders that this vaccine has already been piloted in Ghana. The side effects are very minimal, and the myths surrounding it are unfounded. This exercise is about safeguarding the health of our girls and future mothers,” he added.
He urged parents, traditional authorities, assembly members, schools, and the media to support the campaign to ensure maximum coverage.
On the education front, George Asira, Bolgatanga Municipal Director of the Ghana Education Service (GES), outlined steps schools are taking to support the vaccination drive.
“At the school level, our health education teachers will mobilize the girls for vaccination. Beyond that, teachers and headteachers will educate parents and caregivers to understand that the vaccine is safe and to allow their children to participate without fear,” Mr. Asira said.
The microplanning meeting brought together officials from the Ghana Health Service, Ghana Education Service, and the Ghana National Association of Private Schools. Discussions focused on logistics, community engagement, and strategies to address misinformation and vaccine hesitancy.
The nationwide HPV vaccination campaign aligns with global efforts to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health threat. Girls who miss the campaign but fall within the eligible age group will still have access to the vaccine at any health facility as part of routine immunization.
Source: A1Radioonline.com|101.1 MHz|Seidu Mutawakil Azangbeogo| Bolgatanga
