BVI marks two years of strong HPV vaccination, launches cancer elimination plan

The Virgin Islands has kept HPV vaccination rates above 90 percent for two straight years, earning recognition from the Pan American Health Organization as a regional model during Vaccination Week in the Americas 2026.

Health Minister Vincent O. Wheatley credited the success to ongoing funding for disease prevention and the combined efforts of medical staff, families, educators and residents. He underscored the link between vaccination and cancer prevention, saying: "HPV vaccination is cancer prevention. It is one of the most important long-term investments we can make in the health and well-being of our people, protecting future generations from cervical cancer and other HPV-related diseases."

Yet shots alone cannot eliminate the disease. The Ministry of Health and Social Development, partnering with PAHO, has launched work on a National Cervical Cancer Elimination Strategy that goes beyond vaccination to include screening, diagnosis and care.

PAHO experts recently toured primary healthcare sites and the laboratory at Dr. D. Orlando Smith Hospital to evaluate current capacity. Doctors, government officials, civil society groups and other stakeholders then met to set priorities for strengthening cervical cancer services across the system.

The emerging strategy will pursue World Health Organization targets for 2030: vaccinating 90 percent of girls by age 15, screening 70 percent of women aged 35 and 45 with advanced tests, and treating 90 percent of women found to have cervical disease.

Wheatley stressed that the coming phase must expand screening, diagnosis, treatment and follow-up. "Having successfully established a strong foundation in prevention, we must now build upon that success by strengthening screening, diagnosis, treatment and follow-up services so that no woman is left behind in our efforts to eliminate cervical cancer," he said.

The Health Ministry will continue partnering with PAHO, the BVI Health Services Authority and other organisations to improve services and coordination.