Angola has launched the largest Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign in its history, aiming to immunise more than two million girls aged 9 to 12 in just 12 days the country pushes to eliminate cervical cancer.
Running from 27 October to 7 November, the campaign has mobilised 1,667 immunisation teams across schools, health facilities and communities nationwide.
The goal is to reach at least 70 percent of eligible girls with a single-dose HPV vaccine, provided free of charge in line with World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines.
“This is an unprecedented joint effort in the history of public health in the country,” said Health Minister Sílvia Lutucuta said.
“Today, we are realising the dream of protecting young Angolan women against cervical cancer.”
Cervical cancer remains one of Angola’s leading causes of death among women of reproductive age, with WHO estimating over 2,000 new cases annually – half of them fatal.
The HPV vaccine, endorsed by WHO, offers protection against the most common strains of the virus responsible for cervical cancer.
The campaign marks the culmination of 16 years of planning and coordination involving national authorities, civil society, and international partners.
It aligns Angola with the WHO’s Global Strategy for the Elimination of Cervical Cancer, which aims to vaccinate 90 percent of girls before age 15, screen 70 percent of women, and ensure 90 percent of those diagnosed receive treatment by 2030.
The official launch took place in Namibe province where UN Acting Resident Coordinator Diego Zorrilla praised Angola’s “historic step to protect its girls and ensure a healthier future.”
First Lady Ana Dias Lourenço is leading national mobilisation efforts as campaign ambassador.
WHO has supported Angola with technical guidance, behavioural studies, and community engagement strategies to ensure effective rollout.
JN/APA