Another Sahelian Country Offers Single-Dose HPV Vaccination

The Republic of Mali recently introduced the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine into its routine immunization program.

According to Aliou Diallo's report on November 21, 2024, Dr. Ibrahima Diarra, Director of Mali's National Immunisation Centre, highlighted the significance of this development: "A single dose is enough to protect a ten-year-old girl for over ten years against the viruses responsible for 70% of cervical cancers."

Mali has a population of about 22 million and aims to vaccinate more than 320,000 young women annually, potentially reducing cervical cancer cases by nearly 90%.

These vaccinations could, in turn, prevent over 3,600 deaths annually among Malian women.

Thanks to Gavi and co-funding by the government, the HPV vaccine is free for young Malian women. The Sahel stretches across the southernmost latitudes of North Africa between the Atlantic Ocean and the Red Sea.

In 2023, 37 countries were implementing the single-dose HPV schedule.