Five million girls targeted in Tanzania as HPV vaccine to combat cervical cancer starts

Dar es Salaam. Over five million girls are targeted in Tanzania as vaccination campaign against cervical cancer started amid fears and rumours about the shot.

On Monday, Tanzania in partnership with the Vaccine Alliance (Gavi), UNICEF and the World Health Organisation (WHO) rolled out the vaccination against the human papillomavirus (HPV) – the leading cause of cervical cancer.

The national multi-age cohort (MAC) vaccination campaign which is targeting girls aged 9–14 years, will run from Monday, 22 April, to Friday, 26 April 2024, the agencies said in a joint statement.

While cervical cancer remains a significant cause of death among women in Tanzania, with more than 10,800 cases and 6,800 deaths in 2022 alone, it is vaccine preventable, the statement added.

“The HPV vaccine is safe and highly effective in preventing infections. During the campaign, eligible girls will have the opportunity to receive a single dose of the HPV vaccine at no cost,” it stated.

Efforts to increase access to the HPV vaccine across Tanzania have made substantial progress. In 2018, the two-dose vaccine was integrated into the national routine immunisation programme for 14-year-old girls, demonstrating the government's commitment to safeguarding the health and well-being of future generations.

To date, coverage of the first dose of the HPV vaccine has reached 79 percent, and the second dose is at 60 percent, according to the statement.

Combined efforts are needed to ensure every girl in Tanzania receives crucial protection against this deadly yet preventable disease. Following the campaign, the vaccine will continue to be provided routinely as a single dose to nine-year-old girls.

"We will go through houses, hamlet, neighborhood, in towns to in villages, to make sure that these girls get the HPV vaccine with the aim of protecting them from cervical cancer," said Tanzanian Minister for Health, Ms Ummy Mwalimu during the launching ceremony in Mwanza.

Tanzania’s progress in administering the HPV vaccine is a critical part of a broader global initiative supported by the Vaccine Alliance, which has committed additional funding and resources towards reaching 86 million girls worldwide with the HPV vaccine by 2025.

The campaign will leverage African Vaccination Week, synchronised with World Immunization Week (24 to 30 April), during which routine childhood vaccinations along with health education will be provided for girls in schools, health facilities and community centres countrywide.

Throughout this week, the communities are urged to encourage girls to get vaccinated against cervical cancer and to aim for a future where no girl is burdened by the disease.

Fears and rumours have faced the vaccination campaign as some parents see no reason to do that.

“Some parents do not understand the importance of the vaccine,” said Iringa resident Godwin Mfugale.

However, the vaccination coordinator at the Ministry of Health, Ms Lotalis Gadau, said the girls must be educated about the vaccine before taking it.

“During some previous weeks, we embarked on media campaign and seminars to create awareness about the vaccine,” she said, adding that some adverts were shared through local television channels and community radios as well.