Patrick Idowu
Schoolgirls aged 9 to 14 years in Nigeria on Tuesday received the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine at the Junior Secondary School in Asokoro, Abuja, as part of a big public health campaign. This is a significant step forward in the Federal Government’s campaign to combat cervical cancer in young girls.
The introduction of the HPV vaccine into the routine immunization system on Tuesday is aimed at preventing cervical cancer, a major health concern for girls and women. The vaccination program is set to target over seven million girls, making it the largest-scale HPV vaccination campaign in the African region.
The vaccine is administered as a single dose to girls aged 9 to 14, effectively protecting them against HPV types 16 and 18, which are responsible for at least 70 percent of cervical cancer cases.
Cervical cancer is a pressing issue in Nigeria, ranking as the third most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women aged 15 to 44 years. In 2020, the country reported a staggering 12,000 new cases of cervical cancer, resulting in 8,000 tragic deaths.
This vital vaccination campaign is made possible by the Federal Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the National Primary Health Care Development Agency and with support from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the World Health Organization (WHO), and other partners.
Izzi Jaafaru Madaki, the principal of the school, emphasized the importance of this initiative, noting that approximately 100 schoolgirls received parental approval to receive the HPV vaccine. He highlighted the critical role of the vaccine in preventing cervical cancer and assured parents that it is not compulsory but of utmost significance.
The introduction of the HPV vaccine into the national immunization system represents a significant stride toward the protection of young girls against a potentially devastating disease.
