On a recent Thursday in the Korofina district of Bamako, a community meeting brought together women and girls at the local civil registry office. Amin Dem, a dedicated midwife, led the session. “Initially, there was a lot of hesitation. Both the children and their parents were frightened. However, consistent outreach has turned the tide,” she noted.

She pointed out that the biggest hurdle is the persistent myth that the vaccine causes infertility. “When we take the time to explain the facts, especially in local languages, the community begins to understand and accept it.”

A breakthrough in preventative healthcare

The introduction of the HPV vaccine in November 2024 represented a pivotal moment for Mali. By adopting a single-dose schedule that provides robust protection, health services vaccinated over 145,000 ten-year-old girls between January and September 2025. While the majority—exceeding 113,000—were reached through schools, roughly 32,400 girls who are not in the education system also received the jab. Officials admit that more work is needed to ensure this latter group, often the most vulnerable, is not overlooked.

Dr. Ibrahima Téguété, an obstetrician-gynecologist at the Point G University Hospital, believes this progress aligns Mali with the WHO’s 90-70-90 targets: vaccinating 90% of girls, screening 70% of women, and treating 90% of those with lesions. “The vaccine’s arrival is a major victory. It finally allows us to focus on primary prevention,” he stated. However, he remains realistic about infrastructure gaps, noting that the country’s single radiotherapy unit makes the final treatment goal a difficult challenge.

The power of community involvement

While government health centers lead the charge, civil society is equally vital. In Bamako, the NGO Solidaris223 has been tirelessly conducting awareness campaigns. “We have been active in every district. Mothers are now coming to us to ask where they can get their daughters vaccinated,” explained Amina Dicko, the organization’s president.

At the Djiguiya Center in Bamako, a full day was dedicated to immunization. “Seventy of our resident girls were vaccinated, and none experienced adverse effects,” confirmed the director, Mme Togo Mariam Sidibé.

The young recipients are also sharing their experiences. Awa, 10, admitted, “I was scared of the needle at first, but it was over quickly. I’m glad I did it because it protects my future.”

Haby, who was vaccinated at school, added that her teacher’s guidance and her mother’s reassurance made her feel proud of her choice. Dr. Téguété sees this as a sign of success: “The fact that initial vaccine stocks were depleted so quickly proves there is a collective will to move forward.”

Combatting lingering skepticism

Despite the gains, false rumors about fertility continue to cause some resistance. “Some claim the vaccine is harmful, which is entirely untrue,” Dr. Téguété emphasized. Amin Dem sees the change daily: “Now, some mothers arrive at the clinic specifically asking for the vaccine. Education is the key to changing minds.”

Logistics also pose a threat to the rollout. In regions like Mopti and Gao, road travel can be impossible due to security or terrain. To manage this, authorities are using air transport to deliver vaccine supplies to regional hubs.

The vaccine remains free for all 10-year-old girls, supported by the State and international partners like Gavi, which helps secure the doses at a lower cost. This ensures that even those in remote areas have access. “If we maintain this momentum, we can cover the entire 9-to-14-year-old cohort within a few years,” the doctor predicted.

A future defined by hope

This effort builds on previous successes. Between 2016 and 2022, the Weekend 70 initiative helped raise cervical cancer screening rates in Bamako from 15% to over 70%. Yet, the fight against misinformation continues. “People fear what they don’t understand. We must keep talking and informing,” Dr. Téguété insisted.

The involvement of religious leaders has also been a game-changer, providing much-needed reassurance to families. While Bamako’s success is a strong indicator of potential, the goal is to replicate this nationwide. Amin Dem remains hopeful: “In the past, people wondered why we discussed cancer. Today, they are coming to us for answers.”

For health workers and advocates, the HPV vaccine is the start of a deep transformation in Malian women’s health. As Dr. Téguété concluded, “Every time a girl is vaccinated, a woman’s life is potentially saved.”