Vaccine Program to Protect Girls Against Cervical Cancer

Burundi has introduced the HPV vaccine nationwide to protect girls from cervical cancer and improve long-term health outcomes for women across the country.

“The Government of Burundi has made the fight against cervical cancer a national priority. With the introduction of the HPV vaccine, we are taking a decisive step to protect future generations and save lives,” said Fidèle Nkezabahizi, Minister of Public Health of Burundi.

The vaccination programme, launched on 29 April 2026 with support from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, UNICEF, and the World Health Organization, will provide routine HPV immunisation for girls aged 9 to 14 across all health districts. Burundi aims to reach at least 80% of eligible girls through school and community-based campaigns. A pilot programme conducted between 2016 and 2018 vaccinated more than 12,000 girls and achieved 85% coverage, paving the way for a national rollout. The initiative supports wider efforts across Africa, where the number of countries with HPV vaccination programmes has risen from 12 in 2019 to 35 in 2024.