By: Archie Boan
The Ministry of Health, in collaboration with national and international partners, has officially launched a major nationwide Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign targeting girls aged 9 to 18.
The launch, held in Montserrado County, marks a significant step toward reducing cervical cancer the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women in Liberia.
The multi-age cohort campaign aims to vaccinate more than 560,000 girls across all 15 counties between November 17 and November 21, deploying over 2,000 vaccination teams to schools, communities, and health facilities.
Dr. Yiah A. Nemah, Acting Program Manager for the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI), emphasized that cervical cancer remains the deadliest cancer among Liberian women. She explained that HPV is responsible for more than 70% of cervical cancer cases, making vaccination the most effective form of prevention.
“If you have no reason to take any medicine in your life, please take this one,” Dr. Nemah urged the students. “This vaccine will protect you from the most common cancer among women in Liberia.”
She encouraged students to serve as “ambassadors,” spreading accurate information and dispelling myths about the vaccine.
Representing the Office of the First Lady, Mr. Varfee Holmes delivered a passionate message on her behalf, highlighting the campaign as both a health intervention and a national duty.
“Every strong nation begins by protecting its daughters,” he said. “The HPV vaccine is safe, effective, and it saves lives. It will not affect your fertility, your cycle, or your intelligence. It simply protects you from cervical cancer.”
He urged parents to support their daughters and ensure they receive the vaccine during the campaign week.
UNICEF Representative Andy Brooks described the launch as a “turning point” for adolescent health in Liberia. She noted that HPV vaccine coverage has fluctuated over the years rising from 13% in 2019 to 79% in 2023 before slipping to 71%.
“This campaign closes the immunity gap,” she stated. “By vaccinating girls at school, we make access easier and expand opportunities to protect future mothers of Liberia.”
The Ministry of Education and Ministry of Gender and social protection of Liberia also reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Liberia’s immunization systems and strengthening last-mile delivery of vaccines, especially for remote communities.
For her part, Minister of Health Dr. Louise Kpoto, shared firsthand accounts of how cervical cancer devastates young families.
“I have seen women who just started their families lose their lives to this disease,” she said. “This vaccine is extremely important. You may not know when the disease enters your body, but prevention is your best protection.”
She reiterated the government’s pledge under the ARREST Agenda to strengthen the health sector and ensure no child is left behind.
The campaign leverages partnerships with the Ministries of Education and Gender, community health volunteers, school administrators, and traditional and religious leaders. Many speakers emphasized the crucial role of community trust in achieving high vaccination coverage.
The involvement of school campuses as vaccination sites has already shown success in pilot counties like River Cess where uptake increased significantly when vaccines were administered at schools instead of clinics.
