The Ghana Health Service (GHS) is set to undertake two rounds of a nationwide Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination exercise in schools to protect eligible girls aged 9 to 14 against cervical cancer and other HPV-related diseases.
The exercise, being conducted in collaboration with the Ghana Education Service (GES) through the School Health Education Programme (SHEP) and other partners, forms part of efforts to strengthen routine immunisation and improve vaccine uptake.
According to a press release issued by the GHS on October 19, the first round of the Periodic Intensification of Routine Immunisation (PIRI) exercise will run from Monday October 19, to Friday, October 23.
The second round is scheduled for Monday November 30, to Friday December 4.
During the exercise, health personnel will visit schools across the country to administer the HPV vaccine to eligible girls aged 9 to 14 who have not yet received it.
The GHS says the initiative is intended to increase protection against cervical cancer and other diseases associated with HPV infection while reinforcing routine immunisation efforts.
The Service has called on school authorities, parents, guardians, teachers and community leaders to cooperate with health teams to ensure the successful implementation of the exercise.
It has also emphasised the importance of stakeholder support in raising awareness about HPV vaccination and ensuring that eligible girls benefit from the intervention.
The GHS reaffirmed its commitment to protecting and promoting the health and well-being of Ghanaians, particularly children, through immunisation and other public health interventions.
The statement was signed by the Director-General of the Ghana Health Service, Dr Samuel Kaba Akoriyea.
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