Monrovia, 4 May - Jamese a fourth grade student aged 10 from Ganta United Methodist School who was the first girl to receive the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine said “I feel fine”. This was during the launch of the regional African Vaccination Week held jointly with the World Malaria Day commemoration in Ganta, Nimba County on 25th April, 2016. HPV vaccine has been introduced in Liberia to help to protect more than 14,000 girls at risk, against a virus that causes cervical cancer. Cervical cancer is the number one cause of cancer morbidity and mortality in Liberia with an estimated incidence of 37.5 percent and responsible for 34.1 percent of cancer deaths (GLOBOCAN, 2008). 

This prevention strategy targeting girls aged 10 is an important aspect of the county’s post Ebola recovery process and is in line with the Global Immunization Vision and Strategy 2006-2015, specifically Strategic Area I and 11which seeks to “Protect more people in a changing world” and “Introduction of new vaccines and technologies”.

The HPV introduction by Liberia’s Ministry of Health, has been supported by the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI), the World Health Organization and other partners. In February 2014, GAVI approved support for a demonstration project to introduce HPV vaccine in the country and vaccines were availed. However, due to the Ebola Virus Disease outbreak in the country, the introduction of the vaccine was postponed. Now that the Liberia has embarked on the post Ebola recovery process, the Ministry of Health with support from WHO has deemed it appropriate to introduce this important pilot project starting with two counties of Nimba and Bong, located in the North-Central Region of the country. Reports from the two counties so far reveal that the exercise has taken off successfully with minimal challenges.

Girls 10 years of age both in and out of school are the key beneficiaries and each girl will receive two doses at 6 months interval. The first phase which has just started is expected to be concluded in October, 2016 and thereafter a post introduction evaluation will be conducted which will qualify the country for the second phase. The second phase will target another group of unvaccinated girls within the same project areas who will have reached their 10 birthday by then. After this phase lessons learnt will inform the possible introduction of the HPV vaccine into routine immunization services.

In preparation for the HPV introduction, the government in partnership with UNICEF, WHO and other partners established two regional cold rooms for vaccine storage and installed additional 167 solar refrigerators in both public and private health facilities to expand the cold chain capacity at service delivery points. In addition, WHO supported three day preparatory workshops on advocacy and micro-planning from March 17th - 19th 2016 concurrently in Gbarnga, Bong County and Sanniquellie, Nimba County. During these workshops participants deliberated on implementation modalities and developed micro-plans. Also to ensure acceptance, allay fears, misconceptions and possible resistance of this relatively new vaccine in the country, a communication strategy to increase awareness, empower the communities and enlisting their support to encourage young girls to be vaccinated, was recommended. Other key stakeholders in this intervention include government ministries and agencies namely Education; Gender & Development; Youths & Sport; Internal Affairs and Liberia Institute of Statistics and Geo Information Services.

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For more information please contact:

Technical:  Dr. Zakari Wambai: email  :wambaiz [at] who.int (wambaiz[at]who[dot]int)

Communication: Lliliane Luwaga: email:  luwagal [at] who.int ( luwagal[at]who[dot]int)