Sierra Leone Launches Nationwide HPV Vaccination Campaign Targeting Girls Aged 11–18
By: Edward Dictionary Caulker
The Ministry of Health on Monday, 17 November 2025, launched a nationwide Multi-Age Cohort (MAC) HPV vaccination campaign targeting girls aged 11 to 18, marking one of the country’s largest efforts to prevent cervical cancer.
Announced at a press briefing held on Friday at the Youyi Building in Freetown, the campaign expands coverage beyond previous single-age vaccinations. The rollout is being implemented through the Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) and will run from 17 to 23 November.
Deputy Medical Officer, Dr. Alie Wurie, said the early engagement with the media was part of efforts to strengthen public awareness and community sensitization. He credited the media for its role in previous vaccination successes, noting that more than 168,000 girls have been vaccinated against HPV since Sierra Leone introduced the vaccine in 2013.
Wurie reaffirmed the vaccine’s effectiveness in preventing cervical cancer and urged journalists to ensure clear and accurate reporting throughout the campaign.
Representing the Ministry of Basic and Secondary School Education (MBSSE), Dr. Kuyateh highlighted the central role of schools, describing the education sector as the “largest beneficiary and implementation partner.” He said the Ministry has activated its nationwide communication channels from District Directors to School Quality Assurance Officers—to ensure information reaches communities across the country.
During a technical presentation, Senior Public Health Sister Margaret Kangbai described cervical cancer as a major public health threat and the second leading cause of death among Sierra Leonean women aged 15–45. She outlined key elements of the campaign:
- Eligible group: Girls aged 11–18
- Not eligible: Girls below 10, above 18, pregnant adolescents, those severely ill, or those with known allergies
- Vaccine: Quadrivalent HPV vaccine (types 6, 11, 16, 18)
- Delivery points: Primary and secondary schools, health facilities, markets, religious centers, transport hubs, and community outreach sites
- Team setup: Two vaccinators and one mobilizer per team
- Dosage: Single dose for most girls; two doses six months apart for immunocompromised girls
Kangbai added that monitoring will be conducted through a four-tier supervision system, and mop-up activities will follow in districts that fail to meet coverage targets.
Minister of Health II, Dr. Jalikatu Mustapha, reaffirmed government’s commitment to eliminating cervical cancer, calling it a “highly preventable but deadly disease.” She shared that both she and the President have personal experiences with the illness, which she said has strengthened political will behind nationwide prevention efforts.
Mustapha reported recent gains, including 80% HPV vaccination coverage, 24 screening centers nationwide with seven in the Western Area and expanded capacity for same-day screening, treatment of pre-cancer lesions, and surgical care for advanced cases.
The MAC campaign aims to vaccinate about one million girls, backed by 1.3 million vaccine doses secured through Gavi and other partners.
She urged parents, teachers, traditional leaders, and the media to support the campaign and counter misinformation, stressing that the vaccine is safe, effective, and essential to saving lives.
