The Nigerian Government is set to initiate the second phase of its Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign from May 27, 2024, as part of its efforts to combat the prevailing sexually transmitted infection and its associated risks including cervical cancer.
Announced by Rufai Garba, Director of Disease Control and Immunisation at the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, this move follows a successful first phase, which started on October 24, 2023, and targeted over seven million girls between the ages of 9 and 14, a record-setting endeavor in the African region for HPV vaccination.
While 16 states and the Federal Capital Territory participated in the inaugural phase, the upcoming round will encompass an additional 21 states, widening the scope of the preventative measure against the pervasive STI.
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The impact of HPV, particularly its association with cervical cancer, the second-most common cancer among women aged 15 to 49 in Nigeria, underscores the crucial importance of this vaccination programme.
With the grave statistics of 12,000 new cervical cancer cases and 8,000 deaths yearly, this initiative marks a proactive step in safeguarding the health of Nigerian women.
In conclusion, The vaccination program aims to curtail the new daily cases of cervical cancer and related fatalities, emphasizing the government’s commitment to improving public health outcomes for its citizens.
