While significant progress has been made in preventing cervical cancer through HPV vaccination, uptake for the vaccine has been sub-optimal. According to evidence from the WHO’s Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE), up to one-third of vaccine hesitancy can be attributed to contextual influences such as culture and religion. Widespread uptake of the vaccine will require understanding of factors that influence community vaccine acceptance and decisions.
Local leaders, including religious authorities, have deep-rooted connections with their communities and can significantly influence them to make informed decisions about vaccination. Engaging and educating these leaders can help address their concerns and promote positive and culturally sensitive messaging to their followers, enhancing advocacy strategies to mobilize support for HPV vaccination.
This deep dive session aims to bring together religious leaders, community leaders, and cervical cancer experts to explore strategies to leverage community and faith networks to boost HPV vaccination and cervical cancer screening uptake as part of broader sexual and reproductive health goals. By engaging these key figures, the session seeks to explore examples on how to engage faith-actors and community-based leaders on HPV vaccination — and share strategies, challenges, and tools to help them protect the health of their communities.