The Ghana Health Service (GHS), in collaboration with the Ghana Education Service (GES) and its partners, is set to undertake a nationwide Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign in schools to protect eligible girls aged 9 to 14 years against cervical cancer and other HPV-related diseases.
In a press release on Monday, October 19, 2026, the Service said the exercise would be conducted in two rounds under the Periodic Intensification of Routine Immunisation (PIRI), in collaboration with the School Health Education Programme (SHEP).
The first round is scheduled for Monday, October 19, to Friday, October 23, 2026, while the second round will take place from Monday, November 30, to Friday, December 4, 2026.
According to the GHS, the campaign is aimed at raising awareness of the routine HPV vaccine, improving vaccination uptake and ensuring that eligible girls receive protection against HPV-related diseases.
“The exercise, scheduled for October and November/December 2026, aims to raise awareness of the routine HPV vaccine, improve vaccination uptake, and ensure that all eligible girls aged 9-14 years are protected against cervical cancer and other HPV-related diseases,” the statement said.
During the exercise, health workers will visit schools across the country to administer the HPV vaccine to eligible girls who have not yet received it.
HPV is a common virus that can infect both males and females, with certain types linked to cervical cancer and other diseases. Vaccination is an important preventive measure, particularly when administered at the recommended age, before exposure to the virus.
The World Health Organization recommends HPV vaccination as a key strategy for preventing cervical cancer. The vaccine protects against the HPV types responsible for most cases of cervical cancer, making vaccination programmes important in reducing the future burden of the disease.
The Ghana Health Service has therefore called on school authorities, parents, guardians, teachers and community leaders to support health teams during the exercise to ensure its successful implementation.
“The Ghana Health Service respectfully calls on all stakeholders, including school authorities, parents, guardians, teachers, and community leaders, to support and cooperate with health teams to ensure the successful implementation of the exercise,” the statement added.
The release was signed by the Director-General of the Ghana Health Service, Dr. Kaba Akoriyea, who reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to protecting and promoting the health and well-being of Ghanaians.
Read the statement below:
