HPV Awareness & Immunization Advocacy: Reaching 200,000+ with OCV, 150,000 Students
with Typhoid Vaccines, and Integrating TCV into Nepal’s National Immunization Program
Description: For over two decades, GTA has been at the forefront of improving public health in
Nepal through strategic advocacy and targeted immunization campaigns. These efforts have
successfully provided the Oral Cholera Vaccine (OCV) to over 200,000 individuals and
vaccinated 150,000 students against typhoid. A significant milestone was the integration of the
Typhoid Conjugate Vaccine (TCV) into Nepal’s National Immunization Program, ensuring
routine protection for future generations. The nationwide TCV campaign, conducted from
Chaitra 25th, 2078, to Baisakh 18th, 2079, targeted children aged 15 months to 15 years, with
GTA playing a key role in its implementation. Prior to the campaign, an Interaction and
Discussion program was organized with education sector stakeholders to emphasize the
importance of vaccination in disease prevention.
In the immunization space, GTA Foundation launched the "Tracking and Reaching Zero-Dose
and Under-Immunized Children" project in Bhanu Municipality, Tanahun District, to improve
vaccination coverage and reduce vaccine-preventable diseases. The project identifies zero-dose
children, strengthens community vaccine delivery through 60 trained Female Community Health
Volunteers (FCHVs) and 16 health workers (HCWs), and enhances the eHMIS system for real-
time immunization data tracking. With comprehensive training materials, localized micro-
planning, and strong community mobilization, the initiative aims to achieve 95% vaccination
coverage, ensuring equitable immunization services for all children.
In addition to immunization efforts, a quantitative survey on HPV awareness was conducted in
four districts (Bhaktapur, Kavrepalanchok, Sindhupalchowk, and Dhading) to assess perceptions
of the HPV vaccine for girls aged 9-14. Over a one-and-a-half-month period, eight research
assistants engaged 1,300 participants, including teenage girls, their mothers, aunts,
grandmothers, and healthcare workers. The survey also examined awareness of cervical cancer
screening among women aged 25-65, adopting a cross-generational approach to understanding
vaccine acceptance and disease prevention.
By integrating immunization programs, disease prevention initiatives, and sustained community
engagement, GTA remains committed to eliminating communicable and non-communicable
diseases through collaboration with key stakeholders. These efforts continue to strengthen
Nepal’s healthcare landscape and improve long-term health outcomes.