By Ibrahim Sorie Koroma
Senior Health Promotion Officer, Health Education Programme – Ministry of Health
The Ministry of Health, through its Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI), is set to roll out a nationwide vaccination campaign to protect girls aged 11 to 18 years from the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), the leading cause of cervical cancer.
Speaking at a recent stakeholders’ meeting in Freetown, the EPI Manager, Mr. Desmond M. Kangbai, announced that over 986,000 girls—both in and out of school—are expected to benefit from the free vaccination drive. The campaign will deliver a single dose of the HPV vaccine, which has been proven safe, effective, and prequalified by the World Health Organization (WHO).
Mr. Kangbai explained that most eligible girls are enrolled in schools, which is why the campaign will be implemented in close collaboration with the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education and the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education. The vaccinations will be administered in schools and higher learning institutions nationwide from 17th to 23rd November 2025.
To ensure the campaign’s smooth execution, the EPI has initiated microplanning activities across all 16 districts—at community, facility, and district levels—to collect essential data for effective coordination and implementation.
Highlighting the urgency of the initiative, Mr. Kangbai revealed that cervical cancer remains one of the deadliest diseases affecting women in Sierra Leone.
“Every year, about 512 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer, and more than half of them die,” he said. “Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women in Sierra Leone and is mainly caused by HPV. The most effective way to prevent it is by vaccinating girls before they become exposed to the virus.”
He further noted that the HPV vaccine not only prevents cervical cancer but also offers protection against other HPV-related infections, including genital warts.
“The vaccine is safe, effective, and approved by the Pharmacy Board of Sierra Leone for use in the country,” he assured.
In conclusion, Mr. Kangbai called on school authorities, community leaders, religious figures, political representatives, influencers, journalists, and the private sector to play an active role in promoting accurate information about the HPV vaccine.
“If we are to eliminate cervical cancer in Sierra Leone, vaccination must be our key strategy—supported by early screening and the promotion of safe sexual practices,” he emphasized. “This requires the collective effort of everyone, including parents, families, and community influencers.”
The nationwide HPV vaccination campaign marks a significant step toward achieving Sierra Leone’s goal of eliminating cervical cancer as a public health threat.
