BY SIFISO NHLABATSI
MBABANE – A total of 6 012 schoolgirls have received Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine doses in Eswatini in just 10 days, as the Ministry of Health intensifies efforts to protect children against cervical cancer.
According to the ministry’s latest update, the figures were recorded between October 7 and 16, 2026, under the ongoing school-based HPV vaccination campaign targeting nine-year-old girls.
Of the total number vaccinated, 5 911 girls received their first dose, while 101 received their second dose, reflecting the campaign’s efforts to reach eligible children at different stages of vaccination.
The exercise involves health practitioners visiting primary schools across the country to administer the vaccine, while also reaching girls who missed their previous doses.
The campaign is aimed at strengthening early protection against HPV, a virus responsible for almost all cases of cervical cancer.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), HPV vaccination is most effective when administered before exposure to the virus, making girls aged between nine and 14 a priority group for immunisation.
The WHO states that persistent infection with certain types of HPV can cause cervical cancer, while vaccines protect against the high-risk types responsible for a significant proportion of cases worldwide.
The vaccination programme is particularly important for Eswatini, where cervical cancer remains a major public health concern.
In a May 2025 report, the WHO said the country recorded approximately 360 cervical cancer cases annually, with about 27% resulting in death.
The Ministry of Health has urged parents and guardians to complete and return consent forms sent home through schools to ensure eligible girls can receive the vaccine.
Parents whose children missed vaccination visits at their schools have also been encouraged to take them to the nearest health facility for vaccination.
The ministry said the campaign was still ongoing, with further updates expected as health practitioners continue visiting schools.
The growing number of vaccinated girls represents an important step towards preventing future cervical cancer cases through early intervention and improved access to preventive healthcare.
(Pics Ministry of Health)
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