VICTORIA, Seychelles — The Health Care Agency has launched a year-long national initiative to expand access to the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine and reduce HPV-related diseases and cervical cancer in Seychelles. Running from September 2025 to October 2026, the HPV catch-up vaccination programme targets girls and young women aged 11 to 26 years who either missed the first dose or did not complete the full HPV vaccination schedule.
Speaking at a press briefing at the Ministry of Health headquarters on Wednesday, Stephanie Charlette from the School, Adolescent and Youth Health Programme, and Mary Jane Henriette from the Expanded Programme on Immunisation, explained that the HPV vaccine protects against genital warts and most cases of cervical cancer, as well as cancers of the vagina, vulva, penis and anus caused by HPV. ‘Since its introduction, around 90 per cent of girls have taken the vaccine. During the COVID period, the uptake dropped due to school closures. In 2024, however, coverage increased to 95 per cent,’ Ms Henriette said.
Since 2014, the HPV vaccine has been offered through the School Health Programme to Primary 6 students. For the next year, it will also be available through secondary and post-secondary institutions, community health centres and the Youth Health Centre. Both officials are encouraging all girls and young women aged 11 to 26 years to take advantage of the opportunity and complete their HPV vaccination schedule, in a renewed national effort to reduce HPV-related infections and lower the long-term incidence of cervical cancer, which is the second most common cancer among women in Seychelles.
