MOPH announces inclusion of HPV vaccine in National School Vaccination Campaign

The Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) has announced the inclusion of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine in the National School Vaccination Campaign, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education and the Primary Health Care Corporation. The purpose is to provide early primary prevention against high-risk virus types and mitigate future health burdens from diseases and cancerous tumors.

At a press conference, MOPH detailed the campaign's objectives, implementation mechanisms, and phases, covering 301 government and private schools targeting students in Grades 8, 9, and 10, amounting to over 75,000 male and female students. The first phase begins on September 20 and concludes on November 18, 2026, while the second phase will be executed from April 25 to May 16, 2027.

Participants in the press conference included Dr. Hamad Eid Al Rumaihi from the Health Protection and Communicable Diseases Control Department at MOPH, Issa Ali Alansari from the Department of Health and Safety at MOEHE, and Dr. Layla Abdulla Aldahnaim from the PHCC and Community Medicine Consultant. The inclusion of the vaccine in the National Immunization Program is a crucial preventive measure to safeguard students' health and bolster community immunity, facilitated by cooperation and coordination among health and education sector authorities to adhere to the highest health and organizational standards.

The vaccine is licensed and approved by the World Health Organization and the US Food and Drug Administration, with over 600 million doses administered globally, maintaining a 90% efficacy rate when administered to students aged 11 to 14. Common side effects include mild local symptoms at the injection site, low-grade fever, fatigue, or a slight headache, resolving within 24 to 48 hours.

MOEHE is engaged in the campaign's implementation, working closely with schools and providing an optimal environment for school health teams to administer the vaccinations according to the approved plan. MOEHE also supports raising awareness and educational efforts among parents and students to enhance health awareness and ensure the campaign's success across the targeted schools.