Ministry of Health extends the HPV catch-up vaccination campaign to boys and men up to 45 years |08 July 2026
The Ministry of Health is extending the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Catch-Up Vaccination Campaign, launched in September 2025, to include boys and men who missed the HPV vaccine since its introduction for boys in 2024, as well as men up to the age of 45 years.
The HPV Catch-Up Vaccination Campaign, which in its first phase targeted girls and women who missed one or both doses of the vaccine since its introduction in 2014, and women up to the age of 45 years, is currently being implemented until December 2026. The campaign forms part of Seychelles’ ongoing efforts to prevent HPV-related cancers and diseases and supports the global goal of eliminating cervical cancer as a public health problem.
Since 2014, HPV vaccination has been routinely offered to girls through the School Health Programme, while boys were incorporated into the national HPV vaccination programme in 2024. Despite these efforts, some eligible individuals have either not received the vaccine or have not completed the recommended vaccination schedule. The catch-up campaign seeks to close these immunity gaps and ensure broader protection across the population.
Who is eligible?
Individuals aged 12–26 years
The vaccine is available to:
- Girls and boys who missed HPV vaccination through the school-based programme;
- Individuals who did not complete the recommended HPV vaccination schedule.
Expatriate men and women up to 45 years
- Expatriate men and women with a valid GOP document
Eligible individuals will receive a two-dose vaccination schedule administered six months apart.
Adults aged 27–45 years
Women and men aged 27– 45 years are also eligible to receive the HPV vaccine through a two-dose schedule administered six months apart.
While HPV vaccination is most effective before exposure to the virus, international evidence and
World Health Organisation recommendations indicate that adults may still benefit from vaccination by gaining protection against HPV types to which they have not yet been exposed.
Why HPV vaccination matters
HPV is one of the most common viral infections worldwide and is responsible for a range of cancers and diseases affecting both women and men. Persistent infection with certain high-risk HPV types can lead to cervical cancer, anal cancer, penile cancer, vaginal and vulvar cancers, certain oral, head and neck cancers, and genital warts.
In Seychelles, cervical cancer remains one of the leading cancers affecting women. Between 2019 and 2024, 40 women lost their lives to cervical cancer, including women at a young age. HPV vaccination remains one of the most effective tools available to prevent these cancers and reduce future disease burden.
Where can individuals access the vaccine?
The HPV vaccine is available free of charge through:
- School Health & Sexual Reproductive Health Services in Community Health Centres:
- Anse Aux Pins Health Centre - 4375535
- Anse Boileau Health Centre - 4355555
- Anse Royale Health Centre - 4509600
- Les Mamelles Health Centre - 4388475
- Mont Fleuri Health Centre - 4388486
- English River Health Centre - 4388582
- Beau Vallon Health Centre - 4385000
- Baie Ste Anne Praslin Hospital - 4232333
- Grand Anse Praslin Health Centre - 4233414
- St Mary’s Hospital - 4234255
- Beolière Health Centre - 4378259
- Port Glaud Health Centre - 4378223
- Takamaka Heath Centre - 4366231
- Glacis Health Centre - 4261140
- Baie Lazare Health Centre - 4361151
- The Youth Health Centre - 4388585
- Communicable Disease Control Unit, Yellow Roof Building (CDCU) - 4388230
Individuals are encouraged to contact their nearest health centre for information on vaccine
availability and appointment arrangements.
The Ministry of Health wishes to remind the public that:
- HPV vaccination is safe, effective and recommended for eligible individuals.
- Vaccination can still provide benefits, even for sexually active adults.
- HPV vaccines prevent infection but do not treat existing HPV infections.
- Women should continue participating in regular cervical cancer screening, regardless of their vaccination status.
- Completing both doses is important to ensure optimal protection.
The expansion of the HPV Catch-Up Vaccination Campaign reflects the Ministry of Health’s commitment to protecting the health of all Seychellois and reducing the burden of preventable cancers. The ministry encourages all eligible boys, girls, women and men to take advantage of this opportunity and help build a future free from HPV-related cancers and diseases.
Press release – Ministry of Health