Rwanda to launch advanced HPV vaccine to fight cervical cancer

RWANDA—Rwanda is preparing to introduce Gardasil 9, an advanced human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine that offers broader protection against cancer-causing viral strains than the version currently in use.

The move forms a central part of the country’s ambitious strategy to eliminate cervical cancer by 2027, and success would position Rwanda as the first African nation to incorporate Gardasil 9 into its national immunisation programme, according to the Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC).

Health authorities expect the vaccination programme to commence in 2026, marking a significant expansion of the country’s cervical cancer prevention efforts.

Hassan Sibomana, who serves as Director of the Vaccine Programmes Unit at RBC, explained that the rollout follows World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines issued in December 2022.

These updated recommendations extend HPV vaccination eligibility to adults, including women who were not covered when Rwanda first launched its HPV vaccination initiative in 2011.

The WHO’s revised guidance removes previous age restrictions, which now allows adult women to participate in cervical cancer prevention programmes.

When Rwanda initially introduced HPV vaccination in 2011, the programme specifically targeted girls between the ages of 9 and 14.

Women who were older than this age group at the time did not receive the vaccine, creating a gap in coverage that health officials now aim to address.

Sibomana stated that authorities plan to vaccinate women aged 29 to 35 in order to reach those who missed the earlier programme.

He clarified that the final age range will ultimately depend on the number of vaccine doses the government secures through procurement efforts.

Priority will go to women who have never received any HPV vaccine and therefore remain at risk of HPV infection.

The new Gardasil 9 vaccine provides protection against nine different types of HPV, including the viral strains responsible for the majority of cervical cancer cases worldwide.

This represents a significant improvement over Gardasil 4, which only covers four HPV types, thereby offering women more comprehensive protection against the virus.

Sibomana highlighted research conducted at Butaro Hospital and other medical facilities nationwide that demonstrates that Gardasil 4 does not protect against HPV type 45.

This particular strain causes approximately 13.6 percent of cervical cancer cases in Rwanda, making the introduction of Gardasil 9 medically necessary since this newer vaccine does target HPV type 45.

HPV spreads primarily through sexual contact and ranks among the most common sexually transmitted viruses globally.

Certain high-risk HPV types can lead to cervical cancer, while other strains are associated with cancers affecting the vagina, vulva, anus, penis, and throat.

Gardasil 9 protects against the nine HPV types that cause the vast majority of these cancers and also prevents genital warts, which are caused by low-risk HPV strains.

Despite Gardasil 9 carrying a global market price of approximately USD 330 per dose, Rwandan citizens will receive the vaccine free of charge at public health facilities.

Sibomana emphasized that the government is collaborating with international partners to ensure accessibility for all eligible women regardless of their financial circumstances.

Training programmes for healthcare workers have not yet begun because procurement is still underway.

Sibomana noted that health authorities will train medical personnel once the vaccine doses arrive in the country, ensuring they are fully prepared to support nationwide distribution and administration of the new vaccine.