BY JOY OFASIA
The Nguvia Community High School hosted a gathering of government officials, students, and health advocates for the official launch of the HPV vaccine campaign in Guadalcanal Province, “The Big Catch-Up”.
The event held this week in North East Guadalcanal was not just about a vaccine — it was about hope for a healthier future for the country’s daughters.
Speaking at the launch, the Vaccine Alliance (GAVI) Country Liaison Relations Officer Beverly Herbert called the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine “one of the most powerful tools to prevent cervical cancer.”
“This vaccine is life-changing,” Ms. Herbert said. “It’s going to change your lives. It is a gift — a gift of peace of mind and of care.”
Cervical cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among women in the Solomon Islands. The vaccine, which is being made widely available across the country through GAVI’s support, offers a chance to change that reality.
“This day marks a pivotal milestone in our history,” Ms. Herbert said. “Cervical cancer has placed an unjust burden on women, families, and communities for far too long — both here and around the world.”
The goal of the campaign is to vaccinate 27,000 girls across the Solomon Islands, ensuring they are protected before they are exposed to the virus.
“With this collective campaign, we aim to reach girls who might otherwise remain vulnerable simply because they didn’t receive a single dose of the HPV vaccine,” she explained.
Ms. Herbert stressed the power of collaboration in tackling public health challenges. “When we all work together — from ministers to mothers, from principals to police — we build a future grounded on shared responsibility and hope,” she said.
She noted that GAVI has invested millions in the Solomon Islands to provide life-saving vaccines and strengthen health services.
“Together, we can change the future,” she said. “With every vaccine delivered, we are not just preventing disease — we are supporting the right to thrive, not just survive.”
Ms. Herbert also expressed deep gratitude to the Government of Australia and DFAT (Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade) for their ongoing support.
“Your commitment is helping the Solomon Islands make real strides in public health and immunization,” she said.
