Kingstown, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, 11 February 2026 – The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), in partnership with the Ministry of Health, 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 10–11 February, 26 students aged 10–12 from Greiggs and Belmont Government Primary 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.
At Greiggs Primary School, 14 students, alongside four mothers and six female teachers, were vaccinated, with some receiving both HPV and Tetanus vaccines. Belmont Government School saw 12 students and eight adults 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 faculty demonstrated strong understanding of the vaccine’s role in preventing cervical cancer, reflecting the impact of public awareness efforts.
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 program 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 school-based vaccination is the most effective strategy for improving coverage but emphasized the need to reach out-of-school populations to ensure comprehensive protection.
