Ghana has received its first shipment of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine as part of a nationwide effort to prevent cervical cancer among girls and women. The first shipment of 441,860 doses marks the beginning of a wider rollout to address one of the most common yet preventable cancers affecting women.
UNICEF Ghana, which is facilitating the procurement and delivery of the vaccines, announced that more than 2.5 million doses will be delivered in the coming weeks. The vaccines will support a five-day national vaccination campaign planned for September 2025, managed by the Ghana Health Service.
Following the campaign, the HPV vaccine will be integrated into Ghana’s routine vaccination programme and will be administered free of charge to girls as young as nine years old. The move aims to provide early protection against cervical cancer and underscores the government’s commitment to strengthening public health.
Cervical cancer, a viral infection of the female reproductive system, remains a major health threat despite being highly preventable. Barriers such as limited awareness, inadequate access to healthcare and vaccine affordability have hindered prevention efforts in many regions.
The inclusion of the HPV vaccine in Ghana’s Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) has been described by UNICEF as a significant milestone. The organization noted that the vaccine is safe, effective and is already widely used in more than 140 countries.
“Preventing cervical cancer enables girls to grow up to be healthy women, mothers and leaders who can make meaningful contributions to society,” UNICEF said, describing the initiative as a vital step towards protecting the next generation of Ghanaian women.