The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) emphasises the necessity of a collaborative effort for the upcoming Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination initiative in Nigeria.
Scheduled for May 27, 2024, the second phase of the HPV vaccine rollout across 21 states targets combating a significant cause of cervical cancer.
During a stakeholder meeting in Abuja, director of disease control and immunisation at NPHCDA, Dr. Rufai Garuba stressed the need for collaboration for the success of the HPV vaccination campaign.
Discussions centered around countering anti-vaccine misinformation, with a focus on educating the public and dispelling myths to ensure widespread vaccine coverage.
Garuba highlighted the importance of correcting misconceptions and providing accurate information to protect future generations’ health, urging health professionals, community leaders, and the media to support the campaign.
Expressing confidence in achieving high vaccination coverage and reducing HPV-related diseases, Garuba underlined the significance of vaccination in preventing health issues and the effectiveness of unified action in public health initiatives.
Efforts to promote HPV vaccination uptake emphasised the necessity of strong communication and mobilisation strategies to address concerns among parents, caregivers, teachers and adolescent girls.
The campaign’s focus on raising awareness about HPV aims to tackle cervical cancer, a significant health issue for Nigerian women. Nigeria faces a high incidence rate of cervical cancer, necessitating urgent prevention and education measures.
Garuba outlined NPHCDA’s commitment to combating the cervical cancer crisis through comprehensive communication and mobilisation strategies, emphasising the importance of HPV vaccination.
Stressing the impact of HPV strains on health, Garuba highlighted the carcinogenic nature of certain strains and their global significance.
Dr. Aisha Umar from the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) commended NPHCDA’s efforts in addressing HPV and cervical cancer, emphasising the importance of vaccination in preventing the disease.
Umar stressed the crucial role of awareness and dispelling myths in increasing vaccination uptake and protecting Nigeria’s future mothers.
Cervical cancer ranks as the second most common cancer in Nigerian women, constituting approximately 16 per cent of all female cancers globally. The disease’s prevalence underscores the urgency of effective prevention strategies.
Nigeria plans to implement the second phase of the HPV vaccine across 21 states, continuing its efforts to protect against HPV-related diseases and reduce their prevalence.
The vaccine’s effectiveness in preventing infections by specific HPV strains highlights its importance in safeguarding against various health conditions, such as genital warts and cervical, anal and oropharyngeal cancers.
Administered ideally before individuals become sexually active, the vaccine is recommended for preteens aged around 11 or 12, with the possibility of receiving it as early as nine years old up to 26.
The vaccination campaign aligns with public health initiatives aimed at diminishing the impact of HPV-related diseases.
