Malawi is set to launch the cervical cancer vaccines as a means of providing protection to girls against the disease.

Malawi has the highest rate of cervical cancer worldwide. Every year 1,600 women die of cervical cancer in the country.

Malawi First Lady Getrude Mutharika will be the guest of honour at the event at St Charles Lwanga primary school ground in Mangochi district on January 10 this year.

The vaccine will be given to 9 year old girls in two doses. The first dose will be given on first contact and the second one after six months.

According to the statement from the health ministry, the vaccine will be provided in all public and Christian Health Association of Malawi (CHAM) health facilities, some private health facilities, all under-five clinics and all public and private schools.

The ministry is since calling upon all parents and guardians to ensure that young girls receive the vaccine when they are 9 years and according to the schedule.

It also calls upon all stakeholders to support this new initiative to ensure that all young girls are protected against cervical cancer.

Cervical cancer is a cancer caused by the humanimmunodeficiency virus (HPV)