A vaccine confidence report, launched by MSD in partnership with Professor Hannelie Meyer, head of the South African vaccination and immunization center, reveals alarming levels of vaccine hesitancy in South Africa.

According to the report, 71% of participants expressed reluctance toward at least one available vaccine in the country. The findings were shared during the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases conference and the SSA HPV media roundtable, held on April 24, 2025.

“This reluctance is troubling, given the direct link between HPV and cervical cancer. Addressing these fears with credible information is vital in reducing the burden in sub-Saharan Africa,” said Meyer.

Cervical cancer, primarily caused by persistent HPV infection, is one of the most common and deadly cancers among African women.

“There is no time to waste. We must work together to share accurate information, address concerns, and make vaccines truly accessible. Only then can we protect future generations from preventable diseases,” she said.

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 94% of global cervical cancer deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries, with sub-Saharan Africa particularly affected.

Young women under the age of 25 are at heightened risk, with a regional HPV prevalence of 43.9%, more than double the global rate of 19.2%.

A vaccine confidence report, launched by MSD in partnership with Professor Hannelie Meyer, head of the South African vaccination and immunization center, reveals alarming levels of vaccine hesitancy in South Africa.

In Rwanda, before the rollout of the national HPV vaccination program, 54% of girls aged 19 and under tested positive for HPV. Even in Egypt, where the overall burden is lower, cervical cancer ranks among the top 10 cancers affecting women aged between 15 and 44.

Ghana sees approximately 3,000 cervical cancer diagnoses and 2,000 related deaths each year, highlighting the devastating impact of the disease.

Misinformation, particularly through social media, has been a major driver of vaccine hesitancy, eroding trust in healthcare systems. Economic constraints and shifting global funding priorities have further limited access to vaccines, particularly in low-income communities.

“Routine immunization has saved millions of lives. When misinformation and resource constraints disrupt these efforts, we risk undoing decades of progress,” said Dr. Alima Essoh, Regional Director at the Preventive Medicine Agency for Africa (AMP Africa).

A study published in scientific reports in May 2023, which examined vaccination behaviors in six African countries, found that only about 10% of respondents had received at least one dose of the HPV vaccine.

South Africa recorded the highest hesitancy rate at 17.15%, while Kenya had the lowest at 8.3%. To combat this challenge, experts emphasize the need for innovative, community-based strategies.

“Engaging and accessible tools, such as comic books and school-based vaccination, have significantly enhanced vaccine uptake among young people,” said Dr. Sabrina Kitaka, Senior Lecturer at Makerere University.

Dr. Alima Essoh, Regional Director at the Preventive Medicine Agency for Africa (AMP Africa).

She also highlighted the success of reminder systems, like SMS alerts and automated calls, in helping adolescents complete the full vaccine schedule.

“Tackling vaccine hesitancy will require a coordinated approach involving governments, healthcare workers, civil society, and the private sector. “We must meet communities where they are, build trust, and ensure that vaccines are accessible,” Kitaka added.

Looking ahead, WHO’s 2030 target aims to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health threat by ensuring that 90% of girls are fully vaccinated against HPV by age 15. But vaccine hesitancy stands in the way of this ambitious goal.

Dr. Sabrina Kitaka is a Senior Lecturer at Makerere University in Uganda.