“The Government of Papua New Guinea today introduced human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination into its national immunization programme, taking a major step towards protecting future generations of girls and women from cervical cancer, currently the leading cause of cancer deaths among women in the country.

At a national launch at New Erima Primary School in Port Moresby, trained health workers vaccinated eligible girls aged 9–14 with the first doses. Following the launch, Phase 1 of the programme will begin free of charge across the National Capital District (NCD) and Central Province in November 2026, before gradually expanding to other provinces.

Over 1,000 women are diagnosed with the disease annually in Papua New Guinea, and approximately 650 die of it each year. Yet cervical cancer is largely preventable. More than 95 per cent of cervical cancer is caused by HPV. Vaccinating girls before exposure to the virus can protect them against HPV strains responsible for up to 90 per cent of cervical cancer cases.”

From Gavi.