Karonga targets over 50,000 girls in upcoming HPV vaccination campaign

Health authorities in Karonga say they are set to vaccinate over 50,000 girls aged between 9 and 18 against the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) during a nationwide campaign slated for October 27 to 31, 2025.

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District Immunisation Coordinator for Karonga, Elias Phiri, said the exercise aims to protect adolescent girls from cervical cancer, one of Malawi’s leading causes of cancer-related deaths among women.

“In Karonga, our target is to reach 50,264 girls across all traditional authorities, including those who missed vaccination in previous years,” said Phiri during a media briefing held on Wednesday in the district.

He explained that the HPV multi-age cohort campaign will play a key role in preventing cervical cancer, adding that public awareness remains critical to achieving high coverage.

Phiri emphasized that misinformation and myths surrounding vaccines still hinder uptake, urging journalists to help communities understand the importance of the vaccine.

“When journalists share accurate information and correct false claims, more parents will feel confident to allow their daughters to be vaccinated,” he said.

Karonga Press Club Chairperson, Adams Wundaninge, commended the District Health Office for engaging the media ahead of the campaign, noting that journalists are vital partners in promoting public health messages.

“As journalists, we recognize that information shapes community behavior. We will continue to use our platforms to raise awareness and support this life-saving initiative,” said Wundaninge.

The Ministry of Health introduced the HPV vaccine to protect girls before exposure to the virus, which is primarily transmitted through sexual contact. According to health statistics, Malawi records over 2,300 new cervical cancer cases and more than 1,600 deaths annually.