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From Sola Ojo, Kaduna
Several girls between the ages of 9 -14 have been vaccinated after the launch of the second phase of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign by the Deputy Governor of Kaduna State, Dr. Hadiza Balarabe Sabuwa four days ago.
During the launch, the Deputy Governor emphasised the proven safety and efficacy of the HPV vaccine and subsequently called on the chairmen of the 23 Local Government Areas in the state to actively participate in the campaign.
Monitoring the progress of the vaccination in Kaduna, the Media and Communication Officer for Pathfinder Nigeria, Mr. Bayo Ewuola, described the development as an exciting moment for Kaduna State.
“The HPV vaccine has just been flagged off and we are currently on a supervisory visit to health facilities across the state under our Multi Cohort (MAC) campaign which is to educate communities about the HPV vaccine for girls aged 9-14.
“Pathfinder is currently providing support to the Kaduna State government on our project which enhances HPV vaccine awareness and uptake in the state to ensure that the girls within the age bracket are vaccinated to prevent them from having cervical cancer”, he said.
Ward Vocal Person, Badarawa, Kaduna North Local Government area of the state, Rabiu Usman hinted that the vaccine is currently being taken out to communities after which it is available only at the designated primary health Centres.
“We have allocated schools based on the number we can cover per day the same with other target places from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. but they have been told to extend the time if they have more girls coming.
“We have enough vaccines on the ground for as many girls as available and the exercise is expected to last for seven days. We started on Monday and we are finishing on Sunday. The active day is from Monday to Friday while the remaining two days are our mop-up days including going to churches.
“After these seven days, the vaccine will still be available at the facility level so any child that misses it can get it and get the card”, he said.
On the challenge the exercise is facing he said, “a lot of female caregivers were initially sceptical about the vaccine which prompted them to be asking questions like “why girls of 9-14”, which is because they are yet to sexually active.
“We are also doing a lot of sensitisation with communities carrying religious and traditional leaders along so they can share the information with their subjects.
“We are appealing to the traditional and religious leaders to help spread the information that the vaccine is safe. They were also told that this is the first opportunity in the state, down to the local government and now at the community level”, he added.
