HPV vaccine added to school immunisation campaign

Doha, Qatar - The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) has incorporated the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine into its National School Vaccination Campaign, a significant move in Qatar's efforts to prevent HPV-related cancers, notably cervical cancer. Dr. Hamad Eid Al Rumaihi, Director of the Health Protection and Communicable Diseases Control Department at MoPH, announced the campaign collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MoEHE) and the Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC).

The initiative targets 76,264 students in Grades 8, 9, and 10 at 301 government and private schools.

The HPV vaccine, approved for Qatar's Routine Immunisation Framework in 2023, is expected to prevent approximately 95% of cervical cancer cases linked to HPV and other cancers. The two-phase campaign begins on September 20, 2026, and runs until November 18, 2026, followed by April 25 to May 16, 2027. The vaccine protects against nine strains of HPV, with the World Health Organization (WHO) endorsing its use for both males and females since 2006.

Dr. Al Rumaihi highlighted that the HPV vaccine is safe and effective, having been in use worldwide for over two decades. The decision to conduct the campaign in two phases this year aims to address delays from the previous year due to regional circumstances. The first phase targets Grade 9 students with the first dose of the HPV vaccine, while the second phase includes Grade 8 students receiving their first dose and Grade 9 students receiving a booster dose alongside the tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap) vaccine.

The HPV vaccine demonstrates over 90% efficacy, with mild side effects usually resolving within 24 to 48 hours. Vaccination is optional, requiring parental or guardian consent, and will be administered in school health rooms in adherence to health regulations.