Gambia to immunise girls against cervical cancer

Banjul, Gambia (PANA) – Gambia is to embark on a nationwide immunisation of girls between the ages of 9 and 14 years against cervical cancer from next week in continuation of Human Papillomavirus vaccination across the country.

A statement made available to PANA on Friday by the Ministry of Health stated that a similar exercise was carried out in November 2019.

Sanjally Trawally, deputy director of HPV, said the vaccination is important because more women are suffering from cervical cancer in the country.

He noted that the team will target schools to get the girls vaccinated.

Mr Trawally urged the public to corporate and encourage their girl children to get immunised.

Sidat Fofana, Expanded Programme of Immunisation (EPI) programme manager, said cervical cancer is a common disease in The Gambia “killing people and vaccine is the only way that can protect people from it".

-0- PANA MSS/MA 5March2021