The Federal Government, in partnership with GAVI, the vaccine alliance, has deployed about 8 million doses of the HPV vaccine to sustain routine immunisation of Nigerian girls against cervical cancer.
The Tribune had earlier reported that Nigeria introduced the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine into its routine immunisation system on October 24 with the aim of reaching 7.7 million girls, which is the largest number vaccinated against HPV in a single round in the African region.
Girls aged 9–14 years will receive a single dose of the vaccine for free. It has 90% efficacy in preventing infection with HPV types 16 and 18, which are known to cause at least 70% of cervical cancers.
Cervical cancer is the third most common cancer in Nigeria and the second most frequent cause of cancer deaths among women aged between 15 and 44 years. In 2020, the country recorded 12,000 new cases and 8,000 deaths from cervical cancer.
The GAVI Head of the HPV Programme, Emily Kobayashi, while briefing the media in Abuja, lamented that the death toll from cervical cancer in Nigeria is grossly underreported.
Kobayashi, therefore, called on the Nigerian government to ensure sustained vaccination, stressing that millions of Nigerian girls would turn 9 years old every year and be eligible to receive life-saving vaccines.
She also assured that the government will continue to support the Nigerian government to co-finance the purchase of the vaccines for the next three years, starting in 2025, adding that a single dose of the vaccine costs $4.50.
Also, the Chief of Health in UNICEF, Eduardo Celades, explained that the Fund has deployed 6 million doses and is set to deploy another 15 million before the end of the year.
He also expressed optimism that routine vaccination will have a huge impact in Africa, saying that teenage girls face many challenges, including teenage pregnancy and early marriage. Celades described the HPV vaccines as an incredible entry point to improving the health of girls.
He urged the Nigerian government to ensure that routine immunisation is sustained and expressed concerns that the age range selected for vaccination is not typical, thus there is not much experience in the country.
Celades further urged all stakeholders, including the government at all levels, religious bodies, and traditional rulers, to fight misinformation and myths that could slow immunisation progress.
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