The National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA) says it has successfully vaccinated over 3.9 million girls aged 9 to 14 years against the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) in Nigeria.
Recall that On October 24, 2023, Nigeria introduced the HPV vaccine into its routine immunisation system, targeting 7·7 million girls.
A single dose of the vaccine, which has been found to be highly effective against HPV types 16 and 18 that are known to cause at least 70% of cervical cancers, is to be given to girls aged 9–14 years.
Speaking at a virtual event titled, Cervical Cancer and the HPV Vaccination: Matters Arising, Dr. Garba Rufai, Acting Director of Disease Control and Immunization at NPHCDA, assured the public that no serious adverse events had been recorded among those vaccinated, dispelling concerns raised in certain quarters.
He said, “We have been able to start in 12 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and we still have three states that we are yet to commence in. In some of these states, they are almost running out of vaccines because they are being accepted in huge numbers.”
He also said that the vaccination effort has gained significant traction, with almost four million young girls vaccinated across the 12 states, and the number is expected to approach five million when Kano State joins the campaign.
Rufai emphasized the absence of serious adverse events after vaccination, calling it remarkable to administer about four million doses without any reported side effects.
He acknowledged initial gaps in information communication but affirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring the success of the vaccination exercise.
“Introducing a vaccine is a process there are activities lined up. We are building capacity and reminding ourselves about what vaccines are, what they do, and their possible adverse side effects,” he explained.
Ongoing monitoring and surveillance by NPHCDA and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), are part of the safety measures in place for not only the HPV vaccine, but also for polio, measles and pentavalent vaccines.
Addressing the purpose of the vaccination, Rufai said: “Awareness of a disease is key in prevention. It is right to say cervical cancer screening than screening for cervical cancer. They do not mean the same thing. Cervical cancer screening is to detect the pre-cancer of the cervix and detecting pre-cancerous conditions early enables effective treatment, with a cure rate exceeding 90% and prevention of invasive cervical cancer development.”
He emphasized the need for early awareness and continuous updates to combat misinformation, adding that success of controlling epidemics depends on the actions of the people, and urged a proactive approach to counter fake news and rumours.
The virtual programme, organized by the Network of Reproductive Health Journalists of Nigeria (NRHJN), with support from Marie Stopes International of Nigeria (MSION), highlighted the significant progress made in the HPV vaccination campaign, with the federal government successfully reaching a substantial portion of the targeted population.
The commitment to ongoing monitoring, public awareness and countering misinformation remains crucial in ensuring the long-term success of cervical cancer prevention efforts.
