Cervical cancer: Vaccination campaign from 27 November to 01 December 2023

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Extract from the article: On Monday 20 November 2023, some thirty media professionals from the Gulf and Agoè-Nyivé prefectures took part in a briefing session on cervical cancer in Lomé. Initiated by the Regional Health Department, the session is part of the Human Papilloma

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On Monday 20 November 2023, some thirty media professionals from the Gulf and Agoè-Nyivé prefectures took part in a briefing session on cervical cancer in Lomé.  Initiated by the Regional Health Department, the session is part of the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccination campaign, which will run from 27 November to 01 December 2023 throughout the country. The aim of this initiative is to prevent cervical cancer.

In Togo, cervical cancer is in 2nd place after breast cancer. Some 595 cases have been recorded in the country, with 497 deaths. To combat this disease, Togo is launching a nationwide vaccination campaign from 27 November to 01 December 2023. The campaign will target girls aged 9 to 14.

For the campaign to succeed, communication and social mobilisation remain essential pillars. It is therefore vital to equip media professionals with the tools they need to disseminate accurate and reliable information. During the briefing session, media professionals were briefed on two topics, namely the process of integrating HPV vaccination into the EPI (Expanded Programme on Immunisation) and the HPV vaccine demonstration project in Togo.

« It is essential to stress the importance of these initiatives in combating cervical cancer, a threat that can be prevented through effective awareness-raising and the active participation of all players in society. Today, on social networks, there is more controversy on the subject of vaccination and especially vaccination against cervical cancer, and this is all wrong.We are asking people to take advantage of this campaign to vaccinate their daughters to prevent them from contracting this disease », said Ms Adewi Pidenam, Health Promotion Focal Point, DPS Agoè Nyivé.

During the campaign, teams will visit schools, more specifically colleges and primary schools, for vaccination. There will also be fixed teams in health facilities, and others in public places.From 4 December 2023, HPV vaccination will be integrated into the Expanded Programme on Immunisation (PEV Togo), for girls aged 9 only.

Togo initiated a pilot phase of vaccination against infections linked to the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) in two health districts, namely Tchamba and Golfe, from 2015 to 2017.

Raymond DZAKPATA