Papua New Guinea launches national HPV vaccination for girls

Overview

Updated Sep 19

Papua New Guinea introduced human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination into its national immunization program on September 8, 2026. At a ceremony at New Erima Primary School in Port Moresby, health workers gave the first single doses to girls aged 9–14.

Cervical cancer kills about 650 women in Papua New Guinea each year, making it the country's leading cause of cancer deaths among women. More than 95% of cervical cancer cases are caused by HPV, and the one-dose vaccine protects against the strains responsible for up to 90% of cases. The national rollout builds on a 2024 pilot in Western Highlands Province that delivered the vaccine through schools and health centers.

Why it matters

About 650 women die of cervical cancer in Papua New Guinea each year; the single-dose HPV vaccine can prevent most of those deaths.

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Key Indicators

60,000

Girls targeted in first phase

Eligible girls aged 9–14 in National Capital District and Central Province.

~650

Annual cervical cancer deaths among PNG women

Another 1,000+ women are diagnosed with the disease each year.

162+

Countries with national HPV vaccination programs

PNG joins a global effort that has protected millions of girls since 2006.

280,000

Vaccine vials planned

First shipment of 100,000 vials arrived in August 2026.

9–14

Age range targeted

Girls receive one dose before potential exposure to the virus.

Voices

Curated perspectives — historical figures and your fellow readers.

People Involved

Pascoe Kase

Secretary for Health, PNG National Department of Health

Leading the national vaccination program

Dr. Sania Nishtar

Chief Executive Officer, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance

Overseeing Gavi's funding and co-financing of the program

Dr Rajendra-Prasad Yadav

World Health Organization Representative to Papua New Guinea

Providing technical support for planning, training, and monitoring

Dr Veera Mendonca

UNICEF Representative to Papua New Guinea

Managing vaccine procurement and logistics

Hon. Dr Billy Joseph

Minister for Health, Government of Papua New Guinea

Overseeing the program at cabinet level

Organizations Involved

PNG National Department of Health

Government agency

Leading the national HPV vaccination program

Runs the vaccination program with the Education Department and provincial health authorities.

Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance

International vaccine alliance

Co-financing vaccine supply

Funds and supplies vaccines to lower- and middle-income countries through a public-private partnership model.

World Health Organization

UN Agency

Providing technical support

Provides technical guidance on policy, planning, training, and monitoring for the rollout.

United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)

UN Agency

Managing vaccine procurement and logistics

Arranged delivery of the first vaccine shipment and supports school-based delivery and cold-chain systems.

Timeline

August 2026 September 2026

2 events Latest: September 8th, 2026 · 2 months ago

September 2026
National launch at Port Moresby school
Latest Launch

Government introduces HPV vaccine into national immunization program; first doses given to girls aged 9–14 at New Erima Primary School.
September 8th, 2026
August 2026
First HPV vaccine shipment arrives in Papua New Guinea
Logistics

100,000 vials land from Denmark, moved by Scan Global Logistics and Air Niugini Cargo.
August 6th, 2026

Scenarios

Phase 1 hits high coverage across first two provinces

Likely Resolves by Q2 2027

Discussed by: Gavi and WHO officials expect school-based delivery to reach most eligible girls; UNICEF supports school and community outreach.

Vaccination runs through schools, health facilities, and community outreach in the National Capital District and Central Province through late 2026 and early 2027. If the program reaches its 60,000-girl target, the government expands to other provinces using the same delivery model.

Delivery gaps slow the national expansion

Possible Resolves by Q2 2027

Discussed by: Gavi's Sania Nishtar flagged delivery as the biggest challenge; UNICEF warned El Niño water shortages could close schools and disrupt access.

Cold-chain limits, missed girls who are out of school, or El Niño-driven school closures could leave coverage short of the target. Shortfalls would delay the government's planned expansion beyond the first two provinces.

PNG sustains buy-in for long-term cervical cancer elimination

Uncertain Resolves by End of 2030

Discussed by: WHO's Rajendra-Prasad Yadav said high vaccination coverage plus screening and treatment could put the country on an elimination path.

Beyond phase 1, PNG maintains funding, partnerships, and cold-chain capacity to sustain high coverage nationwide over a decade. WHO's global elimination targets require 90% vaccination coverage, 70% screening, and 90% treatment access.

Historical Context

2 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.

April 2011

Rwanda's national HPV rollout (2011)

Rwanda became the first low-income African country to introduce national HPV vaccination with Gavi support, delivering shots through schools to girls in grade six. Within a few years, coverage in target cohorts exceeded 90%.

Then

Rwanda hit high coverage quickly, showing that school-based delivery works in low-resource settings.

Now

The program became a model for other Gavi-supported countries rolling out HPV vaccination.

Why this matters now

Papua New Guinea is using the same school-based delivery model that made Rwanda's rollout work.

April 2007

Australia's national HPV program (2007)

Australia became the first country to fund universal HPV vaccination, starting with girls aged 12–13 and later adding boys. School-based delivery kept coverage high across the country.

Then

Within 15 years, HPV prevalence among vaccinated young women fell by roughly 90%.

Now

Modeling puts Australia on track to eliminate cervical cancer within the next two decades.

Why this matters now

Australia's trajectory shows the measurable payoff of a well-run national HPV program, and it is a partner in the PNG rollout.