The Solomon Islands Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS), in collaboration with development partners and donors, officially launched the HPV Vaccination Big Catch-up campaign on 16 July 2025. The campaign aims to protect girls aged 9 to 14 from cervical cancer, the most prevalent cancer among women in the country. The event was held at Nguvia Secondary School and marked a critical step in the national strategy to prevent cervical cancer and improve women’s health outcomes.
This vaccination campaign is part of a broader immunization and cancer prevention strategy led by the MHMS. It involves the nationwide delivery of the HPV vaccine to eligible girls through schools and health facilities, facilitated by trained healthcare professionals. The program also includes an extensive public awareness campaign to educate parents and communities on the safety, effectiveness, and benefits of the vaccine.
Representatives from international organizations—including the Australian High Commission, British High Commission, WHO, UNICEF, PATH, and Gavi—attended the launch. The presence of these global partners reflects the high level of international support for the HPV vaccination rollout in the Solomon Islands.
The HPV vaccine has already been safely used in more than 125 countries and is endorsed by the World Health Organization. It is now part of the Solomon Islands’ national immunization schedule, alongside other routine childhood vaccines. This campaign aligns with the WHO global strategy to eliminate cervical cancer, which aims to fully vaccinate 90% of girls by age 15 by 2030.
The HPV vaccination drive in the Solomon Islands is a coordinated effort involving MHMS, WHO, UNICEF, Gavi, and donor partners, all working together to improve access to life-saving immunization services and contribute to long-term public health outcomes.
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