Deputy Minister of Health, Dr. Grace Ayensu-Danquah, has announced that the country’s first nationwide Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign has been generally successful.
The campaign, which launched and ran from October 8 to 11, aimed to reach 2.4 million girls aged 9 to 14 years, targeting those both in and out of school. The initiative is designed to provide critical, life-saving protection against cervical cancer.
Speaking on Frontline on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM, Dr. Ayensu-Danquah, a medical doctor and trainer, emphasized the vaccine’s importance.
“This is a life-saving vaccine. It will protect our girls and make them immune. Allowing our girls to be vaccinated before exposure to the virus is a critical step in reducing the incidence of cervical cancer cases.”
She further detailed the scale of the public health threat, explaining that cervical cancer remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among women in Ghana.
Annually, the nation records an estimated 3,000 new cases and 1,800 deaths, with a reported 2,500 deaths in 2014 alone.
Addressing prevalent concerns, the Deputy Minister strongly countered myths surrounding the vaccine, describing the immunization as safe, effective, and approved by the World Health Organization (WHO).
She stressed that the vaccination provides protection against the HPV types responsible for the majority of cervical cancer cases.
“The government took the step in launching this initiative… It’s a positive step that will enhance public health. The immunization is key in reducing the mortality rate. This is a policy we have to all accept.”
The lawmaker concluded by stating that the exercise aligns with global efforts to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health threat.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana