Kingstown, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, 11 February 2026 (PAHO) - The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has partnered with the Ministry of Health to advance the rollout of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine to school aged children as part of a broader effort to reduce the risk of cervical cancer in the country.
Over two days, from 10–11 February 2026, a total of 26 students aged 10–12 from Greiggs and Belmont Government Primary Schools received the HPV vaccine, administered by the Family Nurse Practitioner. In addition to the HPV vaccine, students also received the Tetanus Toxoid vaccine and completed several health checks, including vision screening.
At Greiggs Primary School, 14 students, 8 boys and 6 girls were vaccinated against HPV. Four mothers were present to observe the process, including a mother and son, both of whom also received the HPV and Tetanus Toxoid vaccines. Additionally, six female teachers were vaccinated, four received both HPV and Tetanus Toxoid, one received only the HPV vaccine, and one received only Tetanus.
At Belmont Government School, 12 students, 8 boys and 4 girls, all aged 11, received the HPV vaccine along with eight adults. In total, 40 doses of the HPV vaccine were administered across the two-day activity.
Throughout the school visits, the nurse engaged parents, students, and teachers in discussions about the new HPV cancer prevention initiative and encouraged continued participation in clinic-based HPV screening services. Students were reportedly enthusiastic and supportive of one another, while faculty demonstrated strong understanding of the vaccine’s role in preventing cervical cancer. This is an indication that public service advisories have effectively raised awareness among the wider community.
The Ministry of Health’s two-pronged health promotion campaign focuses on increasing HPV vaccination among children, alongside expanded cervical cancer screening among women across the country. These initiatives are part of the country’s cervical cancer elimination program aimed at achieving the 90-70-90 targets: 90% HPV vaccination coverage, 70% screening coverage, and 90% treatment coverage.
PAHO/WHO Representative for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean Countries, Dr. Amalia Del Riego, welcomed the strong response to the initiative, noting, “PAHO is proud to support initiatives aimed at increasing the HPV vaccination among children to reduce the risk of cervical cancer and congratulates the Ministry of Health in advancing the elimination strategy by engaging the communities. She emphasized that school-based vaccination proved to be the best strategy to improve vaccine coverage, but it is not enough, we encourage the Ministry of Health to search actively for out-of-school population.”
