PAHO Partners with SVG for Schools HPV Vaccination Initiative
THE PAN AMERICAN Health Organization (PAHO), in partnership with the Ministry of Health of St Vincent and the Grenadines has advanced the rollout of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine to school-aged children as part of efforts to reduce cervical cancer risk nationwide. Over two days, from February 10–11, 2026, twenty-six students aged 10–12 from the Greiggs and Belmont Government Schools received the HPV vaccine, administered by a Family Nurse Practitioner. Students also received the Tetanus Toxoid vaccine and underwent routine health checks, including vision screening, a release states.
At the Greiggs Primary School, 14 students, alongside four mothers and six female teachers, were vaccinated, with some receiving both HPV and Tetanus vaccines. At the Belmont Government School 12 students and eight adults were vaccinated, bringing the total to 40 HPV doses administered across both schools.
During the visits, nurses engaged parents, students, and teachers in discussions about HPV vaccination and cancer prevention, highlighting the importance of clinic-based HPV screening services. Students were reported to be supportive of one another, while staff demonstrated strong understanding of the vaccine’s role in preventing cervical cancer, reflecting the impact of public awareness efforts.
The release explains that the Ministry of Health’s campaign focuses on increasing HPV vaccination among children while expanding cervical cancer screening for women, forming part of the national cervical cancer elimination programme aligned with the 90-70-90 targets: 90% vaccination coverage, 70% screening coverage, and 90% treatment coverage. PAHO/WHO Representative Dr. Amalia Del Riego highlighted that schoolbased vaccination is the most effective strategy for improving coverage but emphasized the need to reach out-of-school populations to ensure comprehensive protection. (FundsforNGO’s)
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