In the small village of Nguna, students gathered at Noaiwia Primary School on 18 March 2026 to learn lessons that went beyond reading and mathematics.

Health educators from the Ik-kana Cancer Foundation, working with the Ministry of Health, led a session about cervical cancer and the role of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. For many students, it was their first time learning that a vaccine can prevent a cancer that affects thousands of women worldwide and is the second most common cancer in Vanuatu.

From a press release it states that after the awareness session, nurses vaccinated eligible girls at the school. Nine-year-old Anne, who received the vaccine, said the session changed how she thinks about her health.

“I was very touched by the awareness,” she said. “I’m happy that I received the vaccine. Now I feel safer.”

Her mother, Lessy, highlighted the importance of bringing vaccination services directly to remote communities.

“We are far from the main town, so it is not easy to travel to the clinic. I want to thank the Ministry of Health, UNICEF, and the Asian Development Bank for this initiative. When services come to our doorstep, it helps us protect our girls, us mothers, and our community,” she said.

The visit to Nguna is part of the Systems Strengthening for Effective Coverage of New Vaccines in the Pacific project, supported by the ADB, the Government of Vanuatu, and UNICEF. The five-year initiative aims to reduce the burden of three vaccine-preventable diseases—cervical cancer, rotavirus, and pneumococcal disease—by strengthening immunisation systems and expanding access to life-saving vaccines.

School-based awareness campaigns have been a major driver of change. In Shefa Province alone, the Ik-kana Cancer Foundation reached 66 schools and 50 communities, educating more than 4,500 people about cervical cancer prevention.

Reliable cold chain equipment has also transformed vaccine delivery. At Sili Moli dispensary in Nguna and the Saupia Health Centre in Paonangisu, North Efate, solar-powered refrigerators ensure vaccines remain safe even in areas with unreliable electricity.

Grace, a registered nurse in Paonangisu, said the difference has been remarkable.

“2025 was a turning point. Awareness sessions in schools and communities made parents more interested. Girls started coming to the health centre asking for the HPV vaccine. It was very efficient,” she said.

By the end of 2025, the Saupia Health Centre had vaccinated more than 200 girls against HPV—a major improvement from previous years.

Health leaders say the progress demonstrates how stronger systems and community engagement work together.

“Our goal is simple: every child and every adolescent should have access to life-saving vaccines, no matter where they live,” said Dr Jenny Stephens, Director of Public Health at Vanuatu’s Ministry of Health.

Eric Durpaire, UNICEF Pacific’s Chief of Vanuatu Field Office, added that community trust is essential.

“Evidence-based communication and partnerships with communities help families understand how vaccines protect their children and prevent diseases such as cervical cancer,” he said.

Ayako Inagaki, Senior Sector Director at the ADB, said the project shows the importance of investing in resilient health systems.

Back in Nguna, the impact is clear. For Anne and her classmates, the HPV vaccine represents a small but crucial step toward a healthier future for girls—even in the most remote parts of Vanuatu.

Photos supplied