Mauritania Reports Over 90% Success Rate in Breast Cancer Prevention via Vaccination

Nouakchott, Mauritania – A national vaccination program in Mauritania is demonstrating a powerful impact on breast cancer prevention, with officials reporting over 90% effectiveness. The announcement comes as the country ramps up efforts to expand HPV vaccination coverage and address gaps in routine childhood immunizations.

The success is largely attributed to a proactive national vaccination plan targeting girls as young as nine years old, aligning with recommendations from the World Health Organization (WHO). This preventative measure is crucial, as cervical cancer – often linked to HPV – is the second most common cancer among women in Mauritania, following breast cancer.

“Prevention is effective to more than 90% thanks to vaccination,” stated El Alia Yahya Menkouss, Secretary General of the Mauritanian Ministry of Health, during the launch of the second week of HPV vaccination and the third week of a catch-up campaign nationwide.

Expanding Vaccination Reach

As of late November, the program had successfully vaccinated 51,163 girls, representing 79% of the annual target. Officials are now focused on reaching an additional 64,836 girls during the current vaccination week. This ambitious goal underscores the government’s commitment to safeguarding the health of future generations.

The initiative isn’t solely focused on HPV. A parallel effort is underway to bolster childhood immunization rates. Data reveals a significant number of children are either missing initial vaccine doses or haven’t completed their vaccination schedules, potentially jeopardizing community immunity.

Recent assessments identified 110,385 children who haven’t received any vaccine doses and 39,843 with incomplete vaccinations. The current campaign aims to administer missing doses to 41,581 children and identify an additional 73,911 who require vaccination.

Why This Matters: A Global Perspective

Globally, HPV-related cancers cause an estimated 604,000 new cases and 342,000 deaths each year, according to the WHO. Mauritania’s proactive approach serves as a model for other nations, particularly in regions with limited access to healthcare and preventative services.

The success in Mauritania highlights the critical role of vaccination in reducing the burden of cancer and protecting public health. Addressing gaps in childhood immunization is equally vital, as weakened immunity can lead to outbreaks of preventable diseases.

“We are striving to reach every eligible child and girl to ensure they are protected from these preventable diseases,” Menkouss emphasized.

This comprehensive vaccination strategy demonstrates Mauritania’s dedication to improving the health and well-being of its citizens, particularly women and children.