Senegal is intensifying efforts to improve vaccination coverage against the human papillomavirus (HPV) through an advocacy workshop held in Dakar on Sept. 2-3, 2026, aimed at strengthening stakeholder mobilisation and increasing public acceptance of vaccination.
Organised by Senegal’s Ministry of Health and Public Hygiene in partnership with the Association of Women Doctors of Senegal (AFEMS) and Enda Santé, the event brought together key figures involved in cervical cancer prevention and control. Director of Prevention Dr Mamadou Ndiaye opened the workshop alongside AFEMS President Professor Fatou Samba Ndiaye, emphasizing the need to reinforce preventive health strategies across the nation.
First introduced into Senegal’s Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) in 2018, the HPV vaccine serves as a primary defense against cervical cancer, a disease strongly linked to persistent infections from specific papillomavirus strains. Workshop discussions focused on unifying public awareness messages, identifying priority demographic targets, and improving community engagement to address common concerns that hinder vaccine uptake. Health authorities and partner organizations emphasized the importance of delivering clear, scientific information directly to communities—particularly parents and eligible young girls—to foster broader confidence in the vaccine’s preventive benefits.
This advocacy initiative forms part of a larger national strategy to combat cervical cancer through structured prevention, widespread vaccination, and heightened public awareness. By enhancing coordination between health services, healthcare professionals, civil society groups, and local leadership, the Ministry of Health aims to expand coverage significantly. Through this sustained momentum, Senegal seeks to consolidate its immunisation milestones while advancing national health and vaccine sovereignty.
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