Dar es Salaam, April 22 -- MTWARA: SOME 119,796 girls aged 9-14 years in Mtwara region are set to be given Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines to protect them from HPV infections that can cause cervical cancer later in life.

The Vaccines will be provided through a national vaccination programme to be launched today countrywide.

Mtwara Regional Commissioner Colonel Patrick Sawala said the girls will be provided with a single dose of HPV through a five-day mass vaccination programme to run from today to 26th this month.

The programme seeks to increase uptake of the HPV vaccine, awareness about cervical cancer, and use of self-care practices. As recommended by the World Health Organization, the HPV vaccine is primarily meant for girls age...