HPV VACCINATION: “It is painless, needed, preventative and promotive for young girls” - Deputy Health Minister

Deputy Health Minister, Dr. Grace Ayensu-Danquah, has described the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine as “painless, needed, preventative and promotive, especially for young girls,” as Ghana officially launched its national HPV vaccination campaign.

She spoke exclusively to ThinkNewsOnline.com at the campaign launch held at the Osu Presbyterian Church in Accra on Wednesday.

Dr. Ayensu-Danquah emphasized the vaccine’s critical role in protecting girls aged 9 to 14 before they become sexually active — a period she stressed is ideal for building immunity against HPV, a sexually transmitted virus that causes several cancers, including cervical and anal cancer.

“I just wanted to show them that it is a safe and effective vaccine,” she said after voluntarily receiving the vaccine at the event.

The Deputy Minister highlighted that while the HPV vaccine has been available in Ghana for years, the high cost — ranging from GHS 1,000 to 3,000 per dose — made it inaccessible to girls from low-income households.

Now, with the vaccine offered free of charge, Dr. Ayensu-Danquah said it aligns with President John Dramani Mahama’s vision of free primary healthcare and the country’s commitment to achieving Universal Health Coverage.

She urged parents to ignore myths and misinformation surrounding the vaccine and instead recognize the proven benefits of immunization, citing past successes with polio and COVID-19 vaccines.

“This is evidence-based. It’s the science of the day. It has been proven to work,” she concluded.

The nationwide campaign seeks to integrate the HPV vaccine into Ghana’s routine immunization schedule and reach all eligible girls to drastically reduce HPV-related illnesses and deaths.

Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith