Doha: The Ministry of Public Health (MOPH), in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MOEHE) and the Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC), has announced the inclusion of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine in the National School Vaccination Campaign. The objective is to ensure early primary prevention against high-risk types of viruses and reduce the future health burden associated with diseases and cancerous tumors.
According to Qatar News Agency, MOPH held a press conference to present details of the campaign, its objectives, implementation mechanisms, and various phases. The campaign covers 301 government and private schools and targets students in Grades 8, 9, and 10, totaling more than 75,000 male and female students. The first phase will begin on Sept. 20 and continue until Nov. 18, 2026, while the second phase will be implemented from April 25 to May 16, 2027.
Taking part in the press conference were Director of the Health Protection and Communicable Diseases Control Department at MOPH, Dr. Hamad Eid Al Rumaihi; Health and Safety Consultant at the Department of Health and Safety at MOEHE, Issa Ali Alansari; and Manager of School Health Program and Services at PHCC and Community Medicine Consultant, Dr. Layla Abdulla Aldahnaim. The inclusion of the vaccine in the National Immunization Program represents an important preventive step to protect students' health and strengthen community immunity, amid cooperation and coordination among relevant authorities to ensure the campaign is executed based on the highest health and organizational standards.
MOPH confirmed that the vaccine is licensed and approved by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the US Food and Drug Administration, and that hundreds of millions of doses have been administered worldwide in accordance with the highest safety standards. It noted that the vaccine's efficacy exceeds 90% and that its administration at an early age, from 11 to 14 years, produces the highest immune response compared with older age groups. Common side effects are limited to mild local symptoms at the injection site, a low-grade fever, fatigue, or a mild headache, which resolve within 24 to 48 hours.
MOEHE is participating in the implementation of the National School Vaccination Campaign through direct coordination with schools and by providing a suitable environment for school health teams to administer the vaccinations in accordance with the approved plan. The Ministry also supports strengthening awareness and educational efforts aimed at parents and students, thereby enhancing health awareness and ensuring that the campaign is executed powerfully across the targeted schools.
According to the campaign implementation schedule, the first phase includes administering the first dose of the HPV vaccine to Grade 9 students in government and private schools, along with the booster dose of the tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis vaccine to Grade 10 students in government schools, for the last time this year. The second phase includes administering the first dose of the HPV vaccine to Grade 8 students in government and private schools, the second dose to Grade 9 students, and the booster dose of the tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis vaccine to Grade 9 students.
Vaccination is optional and subject to prior consent from the parent or guardian, obtained using a designated form accompanied by an awareness leaflet. The vaccine will be administered to a student only after the parent or guardian has signed the consent form. Students will be vaccinated in school health rooms in accordance with the approved health regulations. Implementation will cover all public, private, international, and community schools and won't extend to any other institutions beyond the scope of schools and age groups.
