By Doris Obinna
Lagos State Primary Health Care Board (LSPHCB) has announced the first phase of free human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination for girls between nine to 14 years in the state.
The LSPHCB, at a one-day media orientation campaign, where government and stakeholders discussed the importance of the vaccine, urged parents to give their consent for their wards to get vaccinated.
The first phase of the free vaccination, which will be rolled out from September 25 to 30, for pre-teen girls, will be carried out in 16 states in Nigeria, including Lagos, Abuja, Nasarawa, Kano, Jigawa, Enugu, Abia, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, Benue, Bauchi, Taraba, Adamawa, Kebbi, Osun and Ogun states. Following the first phase, in the first half of 2024, 21 states in Nigeria will roll out more vaccines.
Representing the Permanent Secretary, Director, Health Education and Health Promotion Services, Mrs. Clara M. Owojuyigbe, said it was imperative for the Gardasil vaccines to start being used in Nigeria to prevent the disease from being as endemic as it currently is in the country.
“The vaccine is a preventive measure against HPV infection and it will help to ensure that our young girls are protected before they become sexually active.”
She urged parents and guardians to take the benevolence gesture of the government to bring their young girls for vaccination with Gardasil vaccine, which has an efficacy rate of 95 per cent and has been used in other countries of the world.
The importance of this vaccine to our young girls cannot be overemphasized. About 70,000 new cases of HPV are recorded annually and, with the rollout of the vaccine, approximately 17,000 deaths will be prevented.
“We are appealing to parents, religious leaders and community leaders to bring their children and wards to get vaccinated. We will be taking the vaccinations to churches, mosques, schools, markets, primary healthcare centres and private hospitals that are being used as immunisation centres.
“The vaccine is expensive but the government is making it available for pre-teen girls for free and it is important that the community takes advantage of this.”