MUSCAT – The vaccine will be administered to sixth-grade students in both public and private schools across the country.

The initiative, being implemented in cooperation with the Ministry of Health, follows recommendations from the World Health Organization (WHO) and aims to combat a virus linked to cervical and other reproductive cancers in both men and women.

In preparation for the nationwide rollout, the Directorate General of Health Services in Musandam hosted a workshop to educate healthcare workers on the vaccine’s benefits and administration. Additional training sessions will be conducted across other governorates to ensure seamless implementation.
According to Badr bin Saif al Rawahi, Acting Director General of the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, introduction of the vaccine at school-level is a strategic step towards enhancing public health and protecting future generations, as the programme’s approach is based on international best practices and national health data.

The training for health professionals will cover essential aspects such as vaccine handling, cold chain maintenance, distribution protocols, and public awareness strategies.

The decision to incorporate the HPV vaccine followed a detailed review by the National Technical Committee for Vaccines and Serums, which assessed local infection trends and evaluated the vaccine’s anticipated health and economic benefits.