The Federal Government, in conjunction with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the World Health Organization, and other development partners, vaccinated 500 schoolgirls in Abuja and Nasarawa states with the Human Papillomavirus vaccine (HPV).
This follows the inclusion of the HPV vaccination in routine immunization for girls aged nine to fourteen. As a result, the first round of immunization included a five-day mass vaccination campaign in schools and communities throughout 16 states.
On Thursday, vaccinations were administered at the Junior Secondary School in Asokoro, Abuja, and the Government Secondary School in Bakin-Ado, Karu, Nasarawa State.
Emily Kobayashi, Head of the HPV Programme at Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, was impressed by the children’s turnout and the participation of traditional authorities, religious leaders, and parents.
Pharm Luka Panya Baba, President of Karu Local Government Traditional Council and Esu Karu, stated that the HPV vaccine is life-saving.
“We have discussed extensively with religious leaders about what the benefits are for the community. Several countries have since introduced the vaccine.
“What we are witnessing today will help our girls now and in the future. We appreciate Gavi. The Northern Traditional Leaders will ensure that we mobilize our young girls to take the vaccine because the benefit is for all of us. We do not doubt the safety and efficacy of the vaccine.
“There are a lot of countries in Africa that have introduced the vaccine into their routine immunization. We hope that in the best future, countries will make reference to Nigeria about the success of the HPV vaccine,” he said.
Mrs. Ene Faustina, one of the parents who brought her children for the immunization, said she had heard about the vaccine and its relevance.
“I have lost someone to breast cancer, and this is a great privilege for me, so I had to bring my children for the vaccination,” she stated.
According to reports, girls aged nine to 14 years will receive a single dose of the vaccine, which prevents HPV types 16 and 18, known to cause at least 70 percent of cervical cancers.
Cervical cancer is the third most common cancer in Nigeria and the second leading cause of cancer death in women aged 15 to 44 years. Cervical cancer caused 12,000 new cases and 8,000 deaths in Nigeria in 2020.
The vaccine is being distributed free of charge by the Federal Ministry of Health via the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, with assistance from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the United Nations Children’s Fund, the World Health Organization, and other partners.
