Korede Abdullah
The Phase II of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign is set to be launched in 21 states across Nigeria on May 27th, 2024.
The vaccination drive is expected to play a pivotal role in accelerating the elimination of cervical cancer as a significant public health concern in Nigeria.
The decision to roll out the phase II was following a communiqué signed by the Chairman, Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) and Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, in Abuja on Wednesday
The forum had received a briefing on the commencement of the exercise from its Senior Health Advisor, Dr Ahmad Abdulwahab on progress in the states involved, with expanding health insurance coverage and their performance on nutrition, as well as the Primary Healthcare (PHC) Leadership Challenge during the meeting.
In October 2023, the Nigerian government initiated the integration of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine into the national health system, to immunise 7.7 million adolescent girls ages 9–14.
The launch which is spearheaded by the Nigeria Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA), will accelerate the elimination of cervical cancer as a public health problem in Nigeria.
Cervical cancer, which is caused by HPV, ranks as the third most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer deaths among Nigerian women aged between 15 and 44 years.
The introduction of the HPV vaccine aligns with WHO recommendations and highlights Nigeria’s commitment to tackling cervical cancer as a public health priority.
