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HPV: UNICEF, FG, to vaccinate 90% adolescent girls by 2030

In a bid to reduce the burden caused by cervical cancer in Nigerian society, the United Nations Children’s Fund and the Federal Government are targeting the vaccination of 90 per cent of adolescent girls between the ages of 9 and 14 against the Human Papilloma Virus by 2030.

This was disclosed by the Oyo State Health Educator, Mr Olarinde Olaoye, at a one-day HPV vaccine advocacy dialogue meeting with the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) B Zone, held at the Rolak Hotel, Ijebu-Ode, on Thursday.

Olarinde noted that the main goal of the round of vaccination that would be taking place in 21 states of the federation, sometimes in May, is to reduce the morbidity and mortality of cervical cancer.

He explained that the age bracket being targeted in the exercise was the most vulnerable, hence the need to sensitise and create awareness about the need for parents to make their children available for the vaccine.

Olarinde hinted that Nigeria has the highest rate of cervical cancer incidence in the world and advised women to go for screening and get vaccinated against this dreadful disease.

He said, “The best prevention against cervical cancer is through vaccination. Those with Sexual Transmission Infections are exposed to cervical cancer.

“Nigeria has introduced a single dose of the HPV vaccine in October 2023 in 15 states, including the Federal Capital Territory, in the first phase.

“The second phase will take place in 21 states of the federation by May 2024, while it will be introduced into routine immunisation. By 2030, 90 per cent of girls will have been fully vaccinated with the HPV vaccine by the time they reach 15 years of age.

“70 per cent of women between the ages of 35 and 45 are expected to go to any clinic and get screened before going for the vaccine. We have 12,075 new cases of cervical cancer and 8,000 deaths annually in the country.”

Also speaking, the Social and Behavioural Change Specialist of UNICEF, Aderonke Akinola-Adewale, informed me that the South West States recorded low participation in the first phase of the immunisation.

She urged the women journalists to be strong advocates for the eradication of cervical cancer by leveraging their various channels and opportunities to increase HPV vaccine trust and uptake.

The Vice President of NAWOJ B Zone, Comrade Adeola Adekunle, appreciated UNICEF for putting the programme together for women journalists in the zone.

Cross-section of participants at the one-day HPV vaccine advocacy dialogue meeting with the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) B Zone, held at the Rolak Hotel, Ijebu-Ode, on Thursday.

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