The Ivorian government has launched a major cervical cancer vaccination initiative aimed at curbing the rising incidence of the disease among women and girls. The campaign began on Monday, April 7, 2025, in the Béré region, with a target to vaccinate over 3.5 million girls aged 9 to 18.

During the ceremony in Mankon, regional officials stressed the importance of mobilizing local communities for the success of this operation, which is set to run until April 13. The initiative, supported by international partners like WHO, UNICEF, and Gavi, seeks to reduce the country’s annual cervical cancer deaths, which currently number around 2,000.

The vaccination effort is part of broader health measures aimed at enhancing prevention across the nation, with local officials vowing to ensure rigorous monitoring for success.