Savannah Regional Health Directorate targets 48,835 girls for HPV vaccination

The Savannah Regional Health Directorate of the Ghana Health Service (GHS) has launched an intensified campaign to vaccinate 48,835 girls against the Human Papillomavirus (HPV). Targeting girls aged 9 to 14 across seven districts, the initiative is a critical component of national efforts to combat cervical cancer. Health officials have already reached 42,167 girls, but a renewed drive scheduled for October 19 to 23, 2026, aims to close the gap and ensure universal coverage for all eligible children in the region.

The urgency of the campaign is underscored by the high incidence of cervical cancer in Ghana, which records approximately 3,000 new cases and 2,000 deaths every year. Dr. John Ekow Otoo, the Deputy Regional Director of Health in charge of Public Health, emphasized that the HPV vaccine is a safe and effective tool for protecting young girls before they are exposed to the virus. By focusing on the 9-to-14 age bracket, the GHS aims to provide long-term immunity and significantly reduce the future burden of the disease on the healthcare system.

Despite the progress made so far, health authorities identified the need for increased community awareness to address vaccine hesitancy and misinformation. Dr. Otoo called on parents, guardians, and traditional leaders to actively support the exercise, noting that stakeholder involvement is essential for the campaign’s success. The Directorate is working to dispel myths surrounding the vaccine, reinforcing that it has undergone rigorous testing and is part of the standard healthcare protocol to safeguard women’s health.

The upcoming October phase will involve targeted outreach to reach the remaining 6,668 girls who have not yet been vaccinated. This push is part of a broader strategy to integrate the HPV vaccine into routine immunization services across the Savannah Region. As the campaign moves forward, the GHS remains committed to achieving its full target, ensuring that every girl in the specified age group receives the necessary protection against one of the leading causes of cancer-related mortality among Ghanaian women.