Harare, 18 Sept. 2014 :  WHO supported the Ministry of Health and Child Care to launch the human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine demonstration programme in Zimbabwe. The HPV vaccine targets girls before they become sexually active in order to prevent acquisition of sexually transmitted infections, and HPV which causes cervical cancer. Under this programme, Zimbabwe will deliver vaccines to girls aged 10 years in the  2 districts of Marondera and Beitbridge. The 2 districts were chosen because of their high vaccine coverages, and good oversight of the EPI program among other favourable criteria, and their readiness to add another vaccine and achieve the required coverage. The vaccination programme, scheduled to run simultaneously in the 2 districts will reach a total of 4 441 ten year old girls in Marondera and Beitbridge, both in school and out of school, ensuring they comlete the course of 2 vaccines over a 6 month period. Lessons derived from the 2014 and 2015 rounds of vaccination in the 2 districts will be used to inform the national roll out of the vaccination programme scheduled for 2016.

In Zimbabwe Cervical Cancer remains the leading cause of morbidity among all the cancers. According to the 2012 Zimbabwe Cancer Registry Report, Cervical Cancers constituted 15 % of all cancers and the annual death rate from cervical cancers is reported to be 33 per 100 000. Death from cervical cancer is thus the leading cause of all cancer deaths in Zimbabwe.

In remarks read on his behalf by Dr S. Midzi, MPN;  WR Zimbabwe, congratulated the country for recognizing that compared to therapeutics which are given to to already sick people, the HPV vaccine can effectively prevent cervical cancer and is a highly cost effective strategy. He also said that the introduction of the HPV vaccine is being supported by the Global Alliance on Vaccines and Immunizations (GAVI) and WHO is part of the GAVI alliance. WHO has supported the planning of the demo project, and together with UNICEF, will take a leading role in post-marketing surveillance for adverse and rare side effects that may follow vaccination. He, however, emphasized that vaccination has to be complemented with an integrated package of adolescent health interventions targeting both boys and girls.

In his statement, the Honorable Minister of Health and Child Care Dr David Parirenyatwa applauded the selection of Beitbridge as one of the demo districts because it has the highest number of at risk young girls, and the slogan “Catch them young; Keep them healthy” was appropriate. He emphasised that the HPV vaccine was prequalified by WHO, and has been used in many countries and is therefore safe to use. He also encouraged all parents and care givers to make sure all eligible girls receive the 2 doses and urged them to report all adverse effects after immunization to the health centre.