HPV vaccination is part of the national immunisation programme alongside the other known "child killer diseases".
To create demand for HPV vaccination among the eligible adolescent girls
Cervical cancer is caused by persistent infection with high risk types of human papilloma virus (HPV). High risk human papilloma virus can lead to pre-cancerous lesions that may develop into cancer. In Zimbabwe, cervical cancer is the most common female cancer in women aged 15 to 44 years. Approximately 3,043 new cervical cancer cases are diagnosed, with nearly 2,000 cervical cancer deaths occurring annually in Zimbabwe (estimated for 2020). Around 4 million women aged 15 years and older are at risk of developing cervical cancer in Zimbabwe (National Cancer Registry, 2011). Prevention of cervical cancer includes HPV vaccination.
The global targets for cervical cancer elimination set in 2020 (WHO) are 90-70-90 goals for 2030: 90% of girls fully vaccinated with the HPV vaccine by age 15, 70% of women screened using high performance tests by age 35 and again by 45, and 90% of women with invasive cervical disease receiving appropriate treatment.
HPV vaccine services for adolescent girls is given together with other adolescent health services including the following
Information on HIV prevention, contraception, and menstrual health bundled with HPV vaccination
Safe, confidential referral pathways to support services for gender-based violence
Psychosocial first aid and de-stigmatization of mental health issues for adolescents
Administratively linking HPV vaccine with routine TD booster for efficiency
Join us in protecting a generation of girls from cervical cancer