Health experts have raised concern over persistent myths and low uptake of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, warning that misinformation continues to expose thousands of girls and women to the risk of cervical cancer.

They made the remarks in Lilongwe when Clinical Research Education and Management Services (Creams) in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Sanitation’s Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI) launched the HPV EQUIP Project to boost vaccine uptake and improve equitable access, particularly in hard-to-reach communities.

Speaking during the launch, HPV EQUIP project lead Adriano Focus Lubanga said Malawi remains among the countries with the highest cervical cancer burden despite introducing the HPV vaccine in 2019.

“Cervical cancer, which is caused by HPV, remains a serious public health problem, with Malawi ranking among the countries with the highest mortality rates linked to the disease,” he said.

 Lubanga said although the vaccine has been rolled out nationwide, coverage remains below national targets due to weak coordination and widespread misconceptions surrounding vaccination.

“Despite the availability of the HPV vaccine, there are coordination challenges among stakeholders and persistent misconceptions that discourage many people from accessing the vaccine,” he said.

In her remarks, Ministry of Health and Sanitation routine immunisation officer Tuweni Chumachakwera said HPV vaccine coverage was strong during the first two years after its introduction but later declined amid growing misinformation and vaccine hesitancy.

“There are many misconceptions surrounding vaccines. Some people believe they are a means of population control or that they cause infertility in girls, leading families to avoid vaccination,” she said.

Chumachakwera said the ministry is targeting 90 percent HPV vaccine coverage and plans to intensify awareness campaigns, particularly in rural communities, to strengthen protection against cervical cancer.

“We lose a woman to cervical cancer every two minutes globally, so there is an urgent need to accelerate preventive interventions,” she said.

She expressed optimism that the project, which will initially focus on Lilongwe and Nkhotakota, will improve access to vaccination, screening and treatment services.

Malawi ranks first globally in cervical cancer mortality at 54.1 deaths per 100 000 population, and second in incidence at 70.9 cases per 100 000 population.

In 2022, Malawi recorded 4 145 cases of cervical cancer and 2 905 deaths.