Accra: The Ho Municipal Health Directorate has launched the 2026 African Vaccination Week and officially commenced routine Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination for eligible girls at the Ho Bankoe E.P. Primary School in Ho.
According to Ghana News Agency, the event formed part of activities marking the 2026 African Vaccination Week, being observed from April 27 to May 3, in line with World Immunisation Week, on the theme: 'For Every Generation, Vaccines Work.'
Madam Perfect Titiati, Ho Municipal Director of Health Services, stated that the annual observance was an important public health campaign aimed at promoting immunisation and increasing awareness of the critical role vaccines play in protecting lives, especially children. She emphasized that vaccination remained one of the most effective public health interventions, helping to prevent life-threatening diseases and reduce childhood illness and mortality.
Madam Titiati noted that this year's celebration was particularly significant as it coincided with the official rollout of routine HPV vaccination in Ghana, following the successful national mass vaccination campaign held in October last year. She mentioned that the Ghana Health Service (GHS) had planned an intensified HPV vaccination campaign as part of the week-long commemoration to raise awareness about the inclusion of the HPV vaccine in the routine immunisation schedule.
She pointed out that the campaign is intended to ensure that all eligible girls, especially those who missed the mass vaccination exercise in 2025, receive the vaccine and are protected against cervical cancer. She urged schoolchildren, particularly eligible girls, to participate in the exercise and encouraged parents and guardians to support the vaccination effort.
Madam Titiati assured the public, 'The HPV vaccine is safe, effective and essential in protecting our girls against cervical cancer. We want every eligible girl to take advantage of this opportunity and get vaccinated.'