The National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR) on 10/12/2024 in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) brought together partners from the Ministry of Health, President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) Tanzania and implementing partners to discuss findings from the national HPV vaccination evaluation.
The discussion based on Coverage Insights, Community Engagement, Behavioral Drivers, Innovative Platform, and Next Steps for Strengthening community education, improving data systems and addressing funding gaps will ensure that more girls are protected against cervical cancer.
In his speech, Assistant Director of Non-Communicable Diseases from Ministry of Health Dr. Omary Ubuguyu, representing the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, said that “findings will highlight the critical need for targeted, evidence-based interventions.“ This workshop provides an invaluable platform for us to collectively discuss these findings, share experiences and develop actionable solutions. It is only through collaboration and shared commitment that we can achieve our goal of 90% HPV vaccination coverage and protect the health of our young girls.” Added Dr. Ubuguyu
In his opening remarks, the Director General of NIMR, Prof. Said Aboud, said that since the introduction of the HPV vaccine for 14-year-old girls in 2018, Tanzania has made commendable progress. However, as we stand on the cusp of significant changes in our immunization strategy including the adoption of a single-dose schedule, the multi-age cohort catch-up campaign, and the transition to vaccinating 9-year-old girls in 2025, it is vital that we base our next steps on robust evidence and a shared understanding of the challenges and opportunities ahead.
“I want to highlight that today’s event is not just about evaluating progress, it is about envisioning a future where every girl in Tanzania is protected against cervical cancer. This vision requires us to be bold in our decisions, strategic in our actions and united in our resolve.” Emphasized Prof. Aboud.
MOH has successfully vaccinated girls aged between 9 and 14 years, with approximately 4 million girls in schools receiving the vaccine while 600,000 girls are from the community.
Together, we are building a healthier future for Tanzanian girls!