Rwanda launches its national HPV vaccination campaign

The 6 May start was the beginning of a multi-dose rollout, not proof of cancer elimination.

The last reported case was a child in West Bengal whose illness began on 13 January.

The date marks onset of illness in India’s final known wild poliovirus infection.

Immunization workers continued surveillance and vaccination after the last detected case.

India had to document sustained interruption of wild polio transmission before regional certification.

The opening campaign offered protection against infection associated with cervical cancer.

Local outreach helped reach eligible girls, including those absent from school.

The launch began a programme whose success required several doses and follow-up.

WHO published a regional director’s message for the annual observance held on 31 August.

The 2011 observance connected protection of medicinal plants to African traditional medicine.