SNAP ANALYSIS
Geneva, 7 April 2025 – Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance in partnership with the government of Côte d'Ivoire is supporting the launch of the largest human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign in the country to date. The campaign, which will run from 7 April, until 13 April will target 3.5 million girls aged 10–18 years old, both in-and-out of school, and will include those that have missed out on vaccination including during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Every year 348,000 women across the world tragically losing their lives – 90% of these deaths occur in countries across Africa and Asia. In 2019, Côte d'Ivoire took a critical step to reverse this trend by introducing the HPV vaccine nationwide through its routine immunisation program, making the vaccine available to girls for the first time at no cost. Since then, vaccine coverage has steadily increased, and today’s campaign will help bring the country closer to a future where cervical cancer is no longer a threat. With 17 future deaths averted for every 1000 girls vaccinated in Gavi implementing countries, the HPV vaccine has the potential to transform the fight against this killer disease.
Côte d’Ivoire and Gavi will share the of the cost of injection supplies, and operational logistics, in line with Gavi’s innovative co-financing model, which helps countries progressively fund a larger share of their vaccination programmes, until they’re fully self-funded.
Looking ahead, from 2026 to 2030, Gavi aims to extend life-saving protection to an additional 120 million girls, potentially saving 1.5 million lives and transforming the social, health, and economic prospects of young women globally. Achieving this vision and protecting the progress made to date, however, hinges on Gavi securing the necessary funding for its next five-year strategic period, which begins in 2026.
Dr Marthe Sylvie Essengue Elouma, Regional Head of West and Central Africa at Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, comments on this milestone:
For young girls in Côte d'Ivoire, receiving the HPV vaccine this week is an opportunity to protect themselves from a deadly disease, lead healthier lives, pursue their education, and chase their dreams without the looming threat of cervical cancer. Every two minutes a woman dies from cervical cancer – this week over three million girls will be equipped with the most powerful tool to prevent this tragedy. Congratulations to the government of Côte d'Ivoire for leading this vital initiative.
The urgency of HPV vaccination cannot be overstated, particularly as girls living in the most vulnerable communities bear the largest brunt. With safe and effective vaccines available, efforts like this are critical to protect lives and enable young women to contribute successfully to their communities – but are only possible with sustained funding for immunisation.”