In this commentary, Waheed and colleagues reflect on HPV vaccine delivery strategies across several low- and middle-income countries, comparing country experiences against existing WHO guidelines. Three delivery approaches are documented: routinized campaign-mode vaccination using schools as the primary site (The Gambia, Zambia, Ethiopia), routine health facility services complemented by community and school outreach (Tanzania, Kenya, […]
Country: Maldives
Data reporting and collection mechanism for HPV vaccination program and the research gaps to improve health information system – Maldives
Maldives manages HPV vaccination data via Google Sheets and hardcopy logbooks at island-level health centers, coordinated by the Health Protection Agency (HPA). Since August 2022, an electronic immunization registry (DHIS2 tracker) is being rolled out nationally, replacing manual systems. HPV vaccination began in 2019, primarily through school-based mass campaigns, with vaccination mandatory and free. Data […]
Country experience from Maldives on delivery approaches
The Maldives delivered HPV vaccines through a nationwide school-based campaign coordinated centrally by the Health Protection Agency and Ministry of Health. Vaccinators from health facilities were deployed to schools, supported by regional and atoll-level health centers. Parental consent and awareness sessions were prioritized, with targeted communication to address hesitancy. Vaccine distribution followed a centralized supply […]
HPV related disease burden, mortality, social and economic impact – Maldives
Dr. Aminath Nusra (Maldives) described the cervical cancer situation in the Maldives, a small island nation with 563,000 people and no national screening or cancer registry. Current data, mostly from private hospitals and the Cancer Society, indicate very low reported incidence (