Cambodia launches nationwide HPV campaign to protect girls from cervical cancer

Cambodia has launched a nationwide human papillomavirus (HPV) Multi-Age Cohort and catch-up vaccination campaign to expand cervical cancer protection for adolescent girls, according to a joint press release issued Wednesday.



Cervical cancer remains a major public health challenge in Cambodia, ranking as the second leading cancer among women of all ages. Because nearly all cervical cancer cases are linked to persistent infection with high-risk strains of HPV, vaccination stands as one of the most effective preventive measures available.



Building on the successful integration of the HPV vaccine into Cambodia's National Immunization Program in 2023, the new campaign will run alongside routine vaccinations for nine-year-old girls.



The initiative provides free HPV vaccines to all girls aged 13 to 14, while offering catch-up doses for girls aged 10 to 12 who may have missed their routine vaccinations between 2023 and 2025.



To maximize coverage, the nationwide campaign will be rolled out in two phases from November to December 2026. At the campaign launch on Tuesday, Cambodian Minister of Health Chheang Ra reaffirmed the country's commitment to protecting future generations.