The Zomba District Health Office (DHO) has launched a Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign targeting more than 140,000 girls aged between 9 and 18 years.

According to Zomba DHO spokesperson Happy Mwale, the exercise, which began on October 27, will run until October 31, 2025.

He said the turnout has been encouraging, with many parents and guardians bringing their children to receive the vaccine.

However, Mwale expressed concern over the limited supply of vaccine doses compared to the increasing number of girls coming forward.

“The demand is higher than the available doses, but we remain committed to ensuring that the campaign reaches as many eligible girls as possible,” he said.

The HPV vaccine helps protect girls against cervical cancer, one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among women in Malawi.