Ethiopia to receive HPV vaccine from GAVI, partners

On Apr 30, 2023 271

Addis Ababa, April 30, 2023 (FBC) – In the next 12 months, GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance and partners have concluded plans to support some countries including Nigeria, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Kenya, Togo and Zambia with Human Papilomavirus (HPV) vaccine, GAVI said.

It is stated that Gavi will also continue to work with countries that have already introduced the vaccine to help improve coverage and other countries to plan for future introductions.

This is even as between now and 2025, GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance and other partners have concluded plans to reach over 86 million adolescent girls with the Human Papilomavirus (HPV) vaccine.

In the next three years, therefore, the Vaccine Alliance – which includes country governments, the World Health Organization, UNICEF, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, civil society and other key partners– will work with low- and middle-income countries to help even more adolescent girls access this life-saving vaccine.

In parallel, Gavi will also offer support to countries to optimise the 2022 WHO Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE) one-dose recommendation, which now enables countries to opt for a single-doseschedule for the HPV vaccine.

In addition to its standard vaccine and health systems support activities, the December Board decision will allow Gavi to dedicate additional funding to help countries and partners reach more girls with this life-saving vaccine than ever.

This includes approximately US$ 33 million for enhanced technical assistance for introductions, planning and implementation; US$ 40 million to optimise health systems strengthening investments focused on effective delivery of the HPV vaccine; and cash support of US$ 69 million for new introductions.

It is mentioned that Gavi will also dedicate US$ 15 million to establish a learning agenda to support the integration of the HPV vaccination programme into routine immunisation and primary health care in lower- and middle-income countries.