Cestos City – The Rivercess County Health Team has officially launched the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign at the Government Central Elementary and Junior School in Cestos City, marking a major step in the fight against cervical cancer among adolescent girls in the county.
Speaking during the ceremony, Rivercess County Health Officer, Dr. Dyujay G. Karnga, described the launch as a significant milestone aimed at protecting young girls and future mothers from cervical cancer, one of the leading causes of death among women. He stressed that the HPV vaccine provides strong protection against the virus that leads to the disease and encouraged students between the ages of 9 and 18 to take advantage of the free vaccination.
Dr. Karnga explained the dangers of cervical cancer, noting that Liberia lacks full treatment capacity, especially radiation therapy, making prevention the most reliable option. He urged the students and school administrators to cooperate fully with the vaccination teams and emphasized that the vaccine is safe, effective, and administered only once.
Also speaking, Rivercess County Superintendent Byron W. Zahnwea officially launched the campaign on behalf of the county leadership. He called on students to not only take the vaccine but also help spread awareness in their communities. Superintendent Zahnwea said the campaign mirrors other successful public health programs such as polio vaccination and emphasized that the initiative is free for all eligible children.
For his part, the Child Survival Focal Person, Augustine Tetteh, underscored the national importance of the campaign. He explained that HPV is a major threat to women’s health in Liberia and stressed that early vaccination is the most effective way to prevent womb-related cancers. Tetteh added that, in addition to the HPV vaccine, children will receive Vitamin A supplements and deworming medication as part of efforts to promote overall child health.
Meanwhile, Rivercess County Education Officer, Artscolston M. Dorgbain, thanked the health team and encouraged students to fully participate in the campaign. He noted that the Ministry of Education has mandated schools to support the process to ensure maximum coverage. Dorgbain also appealed to teachers and parents to help mobilize children who fall within the targeted age group.
The HPV vaccination campaign will run throughout the week, with health teams visiting schools, communities, and market areas to reach all eligible children between 9 and 18 years old. The County Health Team is calling on parents and guardians to ensure that their children receive the vaccine during this period, describing it as a critical opportunity that may not come again for those nearing adulthood.
