Ghana Health Service to vaccinate girls aged 9 to 14 against HPV

The Ghana Health Service (GHS), in partnership with the Ghana Education Service (GES), is set to roll out a nationwide vaccination campaign targeting Human Papillomavirus (HPV) among school-age girls. This initiative, part of the Periodic Intensification of Routine Immunisation (PIRI) programme, focuses on protecting girls aged 9 to 14 against cervical cancer and other HPV-related diseases. By taking the vaccines directly into schools, the GHS aims to significantly improve immunisation coverage and increase public awareness regarding the life-saving benefits of the HPV vaccine.

The campaign will be executed in two intensive rounds throughout the final quarter of 2026. According to the official schedule, the first round of vaccinations is slated to take place from October 19 to October 23, 2026. This will be followed by a second round scheduled for November 30 to December 4, 2026. During these periods, mobile health teams will visit basic schools across all regions to administer doses to eligible girls who have not yet received their routine shots.

Health authorities are urging parents, guardians, and school administrators to cooperate fully with the visiting medical teams to ensure the program's success. The GHS emphasised that community support is vital for reaching the target population and achieving the desired health outcomes. By prioritising the health of young girls through this preventative measure, the service seeks to reduce the long-term burden of cervical cancer, which remains a significant health concern for women in Ghana.