MHES and Partners Launch Annual HPV Vaccination Drive to Eliminate Cervical Cancer in the Cayman Islands

The Ministry of Health, Environment and Sustainability (MHES),  the Public Health Department (PHD) and the Cayman Islands Cancer Society (CICS) are pleased to announce the expansion of what has become an annual HPV vaccination drive for school age children and young adults, ages 9-25, via not only the school vaccination programme but also a partnership with six private sector providers — Cayman Clinic, Doctor’s Hospital, Health City Cayman Islands, Integra Healthcare, Savannah Medical Centre and Seven Mile Medical Centre — to enhance access to this vaccine across our Islands.

HPV, or human papillomavirus, is a group of over 200 viruses, which can cause warts as well as various cancers, including but not limited to cervical cancer and some types of oral and throat cancers. “I am very pleased that our efforts to protect our children and young people against the threat of certain cancers is not only ongoing, but expanding,” explains Chief Nursing Officer, Mrs. Felicia McLean. “This year, HPV vaccines will be available free of cost not only from Public Health, but also from participating private sector providers who will be facilitating the administration of these vaccines to their patients and who will be hosting vaccination clinics of their own,” she adds.

While the school vaccination drive will begin in October 2025, participating private sector providers will be able to administer the vaccine as early as 1 September 2025.

“The school vaccination drive remains the same as last year,”  Public Health’s School Health Coordinator, Nurse Carvell Bailey, explains.  “Parents who wish to have their children vaccinated, and whose school has signed up for the programme, can request that the vaccine is administered at school by a School Health Nurse.  To do this, parents must also complete the requisite consent order so that the vaccine can be administered at school.”

In addition to the school drive, Cayman Clinic,  Doctors’ Hospital, Health City Cayman Islands, Integra Healthcare, Savannah Medical Clinic and Seven Mile Medical Clinic will also be facilitating access to this vaccine for free at their locations for children and youth ages 9-25.  “We are grateful to our private sector partners for helping us to broaden the reach of this work by providing children, youth and their families with additional options of where to access this service,” states Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Nick Gent.  “The Ministry will be providing these vaccines free of cost, so other private sector providers who are interested in assisting us and administering the HPV vaccine free of cost in their clinics can contact Ms. Taneil Lee at the Ministry on taneil.lee@gov.ky.”

Efforts to raise awareness and encourage the uptake of the HPV vaccine began in the 2010s by the Cayman Islands Cancer Society, working in partnership with the Public Health Department.  “It is great to see how far this effort has come over the last 15 years,” explains Mr. Dave O’Driscoll, Operations Manager for CICS.  “The Cancer Society is thrilled to be able to support this important, life saving, initiative once again, and  I sincerely hope that all persons who are eligible — especially parents who are making choices for their children — will take advantage of this opportunity and get vaccinated.”

“HPV vaccination is cancer prevention, plain and simple” states Hon. Katherine Ebanks-Wilks, Minister for Health, Environment and Sustainability. “It gives us an opportunity to be proactive in fighting cancer rather than being reactive.  As Minister of Health, my aim is to strengthen our preventative measures in healthcare, ensuring we can prevent  cancer diagnoses before they occur.  We all understand that prevention is far better than cure, and I am hopeful that our community will support the efforts of all participating healthcare facilities to keep our children safe.”

“The Ministry of Health, Environment and Sustainability remains committed to improving the health of the people of our islands,”  emphasises Acting Chief Officer, Mrs. Bobeth O’Garro. “This is one such initiative to maximise prevention across all of our islands.  I want to thank not only our Ministerial team and the Public Health team for their hard work, but also the Cancer Society and our private sector providers for their ongoing support and commitment to safeguarding the health of the nation.”

The HPV vaccine is already available by appointment at the Public Health Clinic every Wednesday from 2pm to 4pm, and every Friday at the Women’s Health Clinic from 1pm to 4pm.  For appointments, and more information, persons should contact Public Health on 244-2648 and 244-2889.  Participating private sector providers will be administering the vaccine from 1 September.

Additionally the following HPV clinics have been organised in the community by the Public Health Department:

• West Bay Clinic: Monday 25 August, 5pm to 7pm
• Bodden Town Clinic: Wednesday 3 September, 4pm to 7pm
• Conquering Cancer Health Fair, Hotel Indigo Grand Cayman: Saturday 13  September, 9am to 3pm

For a full list of participating providers, contact details and vaccine information, click this link or scan this QR code: