Sierra Leone has achieved a major public health milestone by surpassing national targets in its recent human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign, marking a significant step toward eliminating cervical cancer as a public health threat by 2030. The campaign used a multi-age cohort approach, targeting adolescent girls aged 11 to 18 to rapidly increase population immunity, reduce cervical cancer cases, and bridge gaps in protection. The initiative, led by the government with technical support from WHO and collaboration with UNICEF, UNFPA, Gavi, and other partners, vaccinated over 1 million girls, achieving 116% of the original target of approximately 868,300 girls.
For the girls themselves, the vaccination is transformative. Many expressed feelings of protection and hope for their future, highlighting the personal impact of the campaign. The week-long initiative, officially launched in November 2025 at St. Joseph’s Convent Secondary School, built on the introduction of HPV vaccination into routine immunization in 2022 and was part of a broader national strategy combining vaccination, screening, and treatment services. The launch coincided with the first global observance of World Cervical Cancer Elimination Day, underscoring international commitment to this preventable disease.
Cervical cancer remains the deadliest cancer affecting women in Sierra Leone, ranking as the second most common among women aged 15–49, with over 500 new cases and nearly 370 deaths annually. The campaign demonstrated both scale and equity, reaching 66% school-attending girls and 34% out-of-school girls, with many receiving the HPV vaccine for the first time. Safety monitoring was robust, reporting only 514 adverse events, of which two were serious and promptly managed, while vaccine utilization reached 107%, reflecting strong demand and efficient deployment.
WHO contributed technical expertise to support microplanning, health worker training, safety surveillance, and equitable implementation across districts. Sierra Leone first piloted the HPV vaccine in 2013, but expansion was delayed due to the 2014 Ebola outbreak and the COVID-19 pandemic. A limited national rollout occurred in 2022 targeting 10-year-old girls, followed by the 2023 introduction of the National Cervical Cancer Elimination Strategy to strengthen prevention efforts.
With coverage now exceeding 70%, Sierra Leone is steadily progressing toward global cervical cancer elimination targets: vaccinating 90% of girls by age 15, screening 70% of women by ages 35 and 45, and treating 90% of women identified with cervical disease by 2030. WHO Representative Dr. George Ameh highlighted that the campaign’s success reflects coordinated leadership, community trust, and strong partnerships, demonstrating tangible progress toward the elimination of cervical cancer in Sierra Leone.
