By Ayorinde Taiwo(SIWES student, Gate Way Polytechnic Saapade)
In an update on October 26, 2023, schoolgirls aged 9 to 14 years were administered the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine at the Junior Secondary School in Asokoro, Abuja.
This initiative, introduced by the Federal Government, aims to incorporate the HPV vaccine into the routine immunization system, with the primary goal of preventing cervical cancer among girls.
Notably, this vaccination campaign targets over seven million girls, representing the largest number to receive the HPV vaccine in a single round of immunization in the African region.
The Press reports that girls in the age range of 9 to 14 years received a single dose of the vaccine, designed to protect against HPV types 16 and 18, which are known to be responsible for at least 70 percent of cervical cancers.
Cervical cancer is a significant health concern in Nigeria, ranking as the third most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women aged 15 to 44. In 2020, the country witnessed 12,000 new cases of cervical cancer, resulting in 8,000 fatalities.
Crucially, the HPV vaccine is made available to these schoolgirls at no cost, thanks to the efforts of the Federal Ministry of Health in collaboration with the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, and support from various organizations, including 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 the vaccine in preventing a common health issue in the country, cervical cancer.
While the vaccine is not mandatory, he shared that approximately 100 schoolgirls obtained parental consent to receive it.
He stressed the significance of taking preventive action against this disease, underlining that informed consent is sought from parents to ensure the well-being of their children.
