Keta Municipal Health Directorate to embark on cervical cancer vaccine campaign

The Keta Municipal Health Directorate in the Volta Region is set to embark on a cervical cancer (Human Papillomavirus, HPV) vaccination exercise, scheduled to commence on October 7, 2025.

The Municipal Health Directorate has confirmed that the initiative aims to protect girls aged between 9 and 14 years against cervical cancer.

Dora Kugbonu, the Keta Municipal Public Health Promotion Officer, stated that the Ghana Health Service has targeted teenagers within that age group for the HPV vaccine campaign and urged parents and guardians to ensure that their female children are vaccinated.

“The HPV vaccine prevents persistent HPV infections and offers protection against cervical cancer later in life. A single dose of the vaccine provides lifelong protection. The vaccine is safe and important for eligible girls,” she said.

She explained that HPV is a group of more than 100 related viruses, some of which can lead to certain types of cancer and other health-related issues, and that the routine vaccination initiative is part of efforts to reduce the incidence of cervical cancer in the country.

She emphasised that vaccinating girls against HPV is crucial in preventing cervical cancer, which remains a significant health concern for women and communities in the Keta Municipality. The initiative is expected to help reduce the risk among young girls.

She added: “HPV (Human Papillomavirus) has various types such as 1, 2, 3 and 4. Types 1 and 2 are easy to prevent, but types 3 and 4 are dangerous and could lead to cervical cancer or death. Early testing, screening and detection will help early treatment.”

Kugbonu noted that HPV does not show clear physical symptoms, and the best method of detection is screening for early treatment. She said the vaccine focuses on preventing infections that could lead to cervical cancer.

She further indicated that the Keta Municipal Health Directorate is promoting awareness about the HPV vaccine and its benefits in the area to ensure that every eligible girl is vaccinated.

She added that the health directorate would continue to engage stakeholders and communities ahead of the vaccination to create awareness and educate the public about the causes, effects, and preventive measures to adopt before October 7, the start date.

The Ghana News Agency also gathered that the HPV vaccine can be administered up to age 26 for those who have not previously been vaccinated. The disease spreads through skin-to-skin contact, often during sexual activity, and can affect both sexes.

It was further noted that low-risk types of HPV can cause genital warts, while high-risk types can lead to cancers such as cervical, anal, penile, vulvar, and oropharyngeal cancers.

Residents were urged to consult healthcare providers for advice on vaccination and HPV-related health tips whenever they notice unusual symptoms, as well as to practise safe sex to protect themselves.