Countering Cervical Cancer: Religious Leaders Urged To Promote HPV Vaccine, Not Myths
Religious and spiritual leaders across the country have been urged to play a more responsible role in the ongoing Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign by promoting education and awareness rather than spreading misinformation.
Speaking during the vaccination rollout at Assin Anyinabrim Catholic Basic School in the Assin South District, Subdistrict Coordinator for the Vaccination Exercise, Physician Assistant, Mr. Samuel Ayesu, emphasized the critical role community and religious leaders play in shaping public perception about health interventions.
He noted that the exercise, which began this week, aims to administer a single dose of the Gardasil-4 vaccine to all eligible girls, in line with Ghana Health Service’s efforts to prevent cervical cancer—a disease primarily caused by high-risk strains of HPV.
Mr. Ayesu debunked widespread myths suggesting the HPV vaccine is 666 and causes infertility or is a disguised form of family planning.
This vaccine is solely for disease prevention. It’s to protect our girls from cervical cancer, which continues to claim lives unnecessarily.
He further explained that cervical cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among women in Ghana, stressing that early prevention through vaccination is the safest and most effective option available.
He urged parents and guardians to take personal responsibility by ensuring their children participate in the nationwide exercise, and called on religious leaders to use their platforms to advocate for public health rather than fuel fear and skepticism.
Story by: Kwame Owusu Asante Shadrack, Rich FM Assin Fosu*
