Last year, Eswatini applied for the GAVI grant which is meant to assist the country scale up the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination drive that was launched in June 2023. Eswatini is one of the countries with a high cervical cancer burden in the Africa region with about 360 new cases recorded each year of which one in three succumb as a result of late detection. To counter this, Eswatini is currently making efforts to screen and treat all women with confirmed cervical cancer to initiate improved chances of survival. Currently, more than 2000 women are living with cervical cancer in the country, with more than 700 cancer-related deaths recorded in the past five years. Speaking during the launch, Dr Dalya Elziniy - GAVI representative appreciated Eswatini’s efforts in the fight against cervical cancer.

“It's effectiveness can't be overstated. GAVI are honoured to support countries to fight cancer . Eswatini is a champion among the middle income countries for making such strong steps and making commitment to fight cancer” Dalya, GAVI.

In 2023, Eswatini launched the HPV campaign targeting girls between the ages of 9 and 14. HPV vaccines are both safe and highly effective in preventing HPV types 16 and 18, which are together responsible for about 70% of all cervical cancer cases globally. The vaccines are also highly efficacious in preventing precancerous cervical lesions caused by these virus types.

“The aim of the partnership is to strengthen and sustain the HPV program to increase coverage. We appreciate the support by GAVI and hope it will be extended beyond the HPV vaccine. I would like to reiterate that all immunization services are free and accessible to all. I urge the public to visit the nearest health facility to receive vaccination including COVID-19 vaccine” Minister of Health Mduduzi Matesebula

The HPV vaccine can prevent most cases of cervical cancer if it is administered before girls or women are exposed to the virus. The incidence of HPV is fuelled by high HIV rates, driving up cervical cancer case numbers and deaths.

"We thank the Government of Eswatini for the strong political will and commitment in procuring 100% of vaccines including the HPV vaccine. We appreciate the leadership displayed by government in the introduction of new vaccines, including the recently introduced HPV vaccine which shows the strong commitment of the Government to achieving the Sustainable Development Goal 3, that seeks to promote good health and leaving no one behind. The introduction of HPV vaccine is an important step towards Eswatini’s wider efforts to reduce morbidity and mortality in women from cervical cancer as you may be aware that cervical cancer is a leading cause of death among women in the region and globally” – Dr Susan Tembo- WHO Representative

GAVI and WHO also used the project launch opportunity to visit select schools to appreciate the vaccine drives that are currently ongoing all over the country.