HPV vaccination of young girls between 9 and 14 years old is the most efficient way to prevent cervical cancer among women at adulthood, according to World Health Organization recommendations. This catch-up vaccination campaign, targeting at the 30.000 young girls of the district is supported by the international medical humanitarian organization Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF).
MSF has been supporting the Ministry of Health to help reach most of the 30.000 young girls aged from 9 to 14 years old, in schools of Phalombe district. Sensitization on the need and the use of HPV vaccine have been provided to 336 Health Surveillance Assistants of the Districts through 11 sessions. The Head Teachers and Schools Health Teachers of the 91 schools were also involved to raise awareness to the girls’ parents on that vaccine and help organize the vaccination. This work will enable the vaccination campaign to start from today and will continue until Monday 23rd.
Since 2017, MSF has been developing a comprehensive cervical cancer program in Malawi with the ambition of improving the access to vaccination, screening, early diagnosis, treatment and – if needed, palliative care, for the women of Blantyre and Chiradzulu districts. The program aims to develop new approaches and targets all stages of the cervical cancer disease course. Comprehensive cervical cancer control requires primary prevention (HPV vaccination), secondary prevention (screening and treatment of precancerous lesions), tertiary prevention (diagnosis and treatment of invasive cervical cancer), and palliative care.
HPV vaccination is yet the most effective way to reduce cervical cancer burden and protect the next generation. It should hence be accessible nation wide for the 9-14 years old girls in Malawi, on a yearly basis.