The Federal Government has introduced the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine into Nigeria’s Extended Programme for Immunization schedule phase 2.
Speaking at the National Engagement with EPI and non-EPI stakeholders for the introduction of HPV in Abuja, the Director of Disease Control and Immunisation, National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Ahmed Rufai tasked stakeholders to use their various networks to ensure the messages get to girls within age 9 and 14 years.
“Take the message to your various networks to ensure our girls are safe, cervical cancer is a silent killer, the effect is not seen in one year and you never can tell who is next, let us work together to ensure the safety of women and girls”.
He stressed that the vaccine is expensive and the government is giving it free for girls 9 to 14 years old in order to keep them safe.
“The objective of the meeting is to sensitize the participants on the HPV disease burden in Nigeria and provide accurate information about the HPV Vaccine, its safety profile, benefits and rationale for its introduction amongst others”.
Delivering the key message and actions on the HPV vaccine, Aseeya Umar noted that over 5 million girls were vaccinated in 2023 which is the first stage.
“October last year, over 5 million girls were vaccinated in 16 states. This year, we are introducing 21 remaining states where HPV vaccine will be routinized at health facilities”.
She however laments that there is a global shortage of the vaccine.