By Adeosun Christiana Pelumi (SIWES student, D S Adegbenro ICT Polytechnic)
The Federal Government of Nigeria, in partnership with GAVI, the vaccine alliance, has launched a campaign to distribute approximately 8 million doses of the HPV vaccine. This initiative is aimed at ensuring the ongoing immunization of Nigerian girls against cervical cancer.
In a noteworthy development, Nigeria recently incorporated the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine into its routine immunization program on October 24, with the goal of reaching 7.7 million girls. This represents the highest number of girls vaccinated against HPV in a single round in the African region, marking a significant advancement in public health.
As part of this program, girls aged 9–14 will receive a free, highly effective single dose of the HPV vaccine. This vaccine has proven to be 90% effective in protecting against HPV types 16 and 18, which are responsible for over 70% of cervical cancer cases.
In Nigeria, cervical cancer is the third most prevalent cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women aged 15 to 44. In 2020 alone, the country recorded 12,000 new cases and 8,000 deaths related to cervical cancer.
During a media briefing in Abuja, Emily Kobayashi, the Head of the HPV Programme at GAVI, expressed concern about the significant underreporting of cervical cancer-related deaths in Nigeria, highlighting the urgent need to address this issue. She stressed the importance of sustaining vaccination efforts and noted that millions of Nigerian girls will become eligible for life-saving vaccines as they turn 9 years old each year.
Kobayashi also assured that GAVI will continue to collaborate with the Nigerian government to co-finance the procurement of vaccines for the next three years, starting in 2025, with each dose costing $4.50.
Eduardo Celades, UNICEF’s Chief of Health, revealed that UNICEF has already distributed 6 million doses and plans to provide an additional 15 million doses before the year ends, marking a significant step forward in vaccination efforts.
Celades expressed optimism about the positive impact routine vaccination could have in Africa and emphasized the importance of addressing the challenges faced by teenage girls, such as early marriage and teenage pregnancy. He highlighted the potential of HPV vaccines as a powerful tool for improving the health of girls.
Celades urged the Nigerian government to prioritize the continuity of routine immunization efforts, recognizing that the chosen age range for vaccination is not standard and indicates limited prior experience in the country.
He also called upon all stakeholders, including government entities at various levels, religious institutions, and traditional leaders, to combat misinformation and dispel myths that could hinder progress in immunization, emphasizing the critical role of collective efforts in the success of vaccination initiatives.
