The Lilongwe District Health Office has announced plans to begin administering the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine later this month as part of efforts to prevent cervical cancer and curb its devastating impact in Malawi.
Speaking during a media orientation session for journalists from the Bwaila Media Club in Lilongwe, Principal Health Promotion Officer Richard Mvula revealed that Malawi ranks second globally in cervical cancer prevalence and first in cervical cancer-related deaths.
Mvula said more than 4,500 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer every year, with over 3,000 deaths recorded annually.
“For instance, in 2022, Malawi registered 4,145 new cases of cervical cancer and 2,905 deaths, which is a deeply worrying trend,” he said.
According to Mvula, the multi-age cohort HPV vaccination campaign, scheduled for 25–30 October 2025, will target girls aged 9 to 18 years across the country.
He explained that the vaccine aims to protect girls from contracting cervical cancer in the future, especially since this age group is considered high-risk.
“The HPV vaccine is crucial because it prevents infection before exposure to the virus. We urge parents and guardians to ensure that their daughters receive the vaccine,” Mvula said.
Mvula, who also serves as Public Relations Officer for Bwaila Hospital, called on community leaders to help mobilize parents and raise awareness about the importance of vaccination.
“We are encouraged by the growing public support and understanding of the vaccine’s importance compared to the initial resistance when it was first introduced. With this renewed commitment, we can reverse the current situation,” he added.
The government’s vaccination campaign will target both in-school and out-of-school girls, reaching them through schools, outreach points, markets, bus depots, refugee camps, and health facilities.
Cervical cancer is the most common cancer among women in Malawi and is primarily caused by persistent infection with high-risk strains of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV). The virus is transmitted mainly through skin-to-skin contact and sexual activity.
