FG To Vaccinate Over 7 Million Girls Against Cervical Cancer

The Federal Government on Tuesday disclosed that it is targeting to vaccinate over 7 million girls against Human Papillomavirus, a leading cause of cervical cancer, the largest number in a single round of HPV vaccination in the African region.

In a bid to make the exercise effective, the Federal Government said it would introduce the vaccine into the routine immunisation system.

The World Health Organisation said vaccination against HPV and screening and treatment of pre-cancer lesions is a cost-effective way to prevent cervical cancer.

According to WHO, in Nigeria, Cervical Cancer is the third most common cancer and the second most frequent cause of cancer deaths among women aged between 15 and 44 years.

Nigeria recorded 12,000 new cases and 8,000 deaths from cervical cancer in 2020.

The international organization disclosed that girls aged nine to 14 years will receive a single dose of the vaccine, which is highly efficacious in preventing infection with HPV types 16 and 18 that are known to cause at least 70 per cent of cervical cancers.

A statement by the World Health Organisation disclosed that a five-day mass vaccination campaign in schools and communities will be carried out during the inaugural rollout in 16 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

“The vaccine will then be incorporated into routine immunisation schedules within health facilities. The second phase of the vaccination introduction is set to start in May 2024 in 21 states.

“The vaccine is being provided for free by the Federal Ministry of Health through the National Primary Health Care Development Agency with support from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the United Nations Children’s Fund, the World Health Organisation, and other partners.

“With support from the WHO country office in Nigeria and other partners, over 35 000 health workers have so far been trained in preparation for the campaign and subsequent vaccine delivery in all health facilities.

The statement added that the vaccination sites have been established in all 4,163 wards across the 16 states included in the phase one rollout to ensure no eligible girl is left behind.

“Mobile vaccination units have also been set up to ensure that remote communities can access the vaccine,” the statement said.

According to the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Ali Pate, the loss of about 8,000 Nigerian women yearly from a disease that is preventable is unacceptable.

“Cervical cancer is mostly caused by HPV, and parents can avoid physical and financial pain by protecting their children with a single dose of the vaccine. Saving lives, producing quality health outcomes and protecting the well-being of Nigerians are central to the Renewed Health Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.

“The onset of the vaccination campaign is an opportunity to safeguard our girls from the scourge of cervical cancers many years into the future.

“As a parent myself, I have four daughters, all of whom have had the same HPV vaccine to protect them against cervical cancer. I will like to implore fellow parents to dutifully ensure that this generation of our girls disrupt the preventable loss of lives to cervical cancer in addition to other untold hardship, loss, and pain,” Pate said.