By Emelia B. Addae
Koforidua, Sept. 26, GNA – The Eastern Regional Health Directorate is to undertake a Periodic Intensification of Routine Immunisation (PIRI) exercise to vaccinate eligible girls aged nine to 14 years against the Human Papillomavirus (HPV).
The exercise, focusing on HPV vaccination, will be conducted in two rounds from September 28 to October 2, 2026, and November 23 to 27, 2026.
Speaking at a media engagement in Koforidua, Dr Moses Barima Djimatey, Eastern Regional Deputy Director of Public Health, described HPV vaccination as an important intervention in the prevention of cervical cancer.
He said the vaccine was safe, effective and provided free of charge under the national immunisation programme.
Dr Djimatey said the exercise was intended to reach eligible girls who might have missed the vaccination or needed additional opportunities to access the service.
He recalled that the Ghana Health Service introduced the HPV vaccine into the national immunisation programme in 2025 for girls aged nine to 14 years before integrating it into routine immunisation.
He said health teams would collaborate with schools and communities to identify and vaccinate eligible girls, including those who were out of school.
Dr Djimatey appealed to parents and guardians to support their eligible daughters and wards to receive the vaccine.
He urged them to seek clarification from trained health professionals rather than rely on rumours and unverified information circulating on social media.
Dr Djimatey also called on school authorities, teachers, traditional and religious leaders, community leaders and youth organisations to support the exercise.
He said their support would help create an environment where parents could access accurate information on HPV vaccination.
Dr Djimatey encouraged the media to intensify public education before, during and after the exercise.
He urged journalists to provide accurate information on HPV vaccination, publicise the vaccination dates, help address misinformation and provide health professionals with platforms to respond to public concerns.
He said information on the exercise should be simple, clear, and communicated in languages understood by the various communities.
Dr Djimatey assured the public that the Directorate would continue to collaborate with the Ghana Education Service, local authorities, community leaders, parents, development partners and the media to ensure the effective implementation of the exercise.
GNA
Edited by D.I. Laary/Lydia Kukua Asamoah
Reporter: Emelia B. Addae
Email: [email protected]