Korede Abdullah in Lagos
Concerned about the low uptake of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine in Osun State, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has trained adolescent health promoters to champion awareness and acceptance of the vaccine to prevent cervical cancer.
Speaking during a two-day workshop in Osogbo, Osun State on Thursday, UNICEF Gender & Development Manager Takudzwa Kanyangarara said, “We believe in the power and potential of adolescents and young people to ensure that nine-year-old girls in their communities receive the HPV vaccine and are protected from cervical cancer.”
She explained that the agency, in partnership with Canada, has launched an adolescent-led initiative to enhance grassroots action for immunisation.
Highlighting the urgency, Kanyangarara noted that despite a successful multi-age government campaign making the vaccine freely available, uptake remains low in states like Osun.
“Across our programmes, we have seen firsthand the power of young people taking action, including in immunisation—from promoting the COVID-19 vaccine to supporting yellow fever campaigns,” she said, urging all stakeholders—parents, guardians, schools, and health officials—to collaborate to reach every eligible girl.
UNICEF Adolescent Development Specialist Mrs Ngozi Izuora-Songu added, “Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer affecting women and girls in Nigeria. The HPV vaccine is highly potent and effective in preventing the disease.”
UNICEF Social and Behavioural Change Specialist Aderonke Akinola-Akinwole stressed that parents and caregivers must help dispel myths about the vaccine.
“Parents, caregivers, and community members have a role to play in ensuring every nine-year-old girl gets the HPV vaccine—not just for today but to secure their future,” she said.
Osun State Immunisation Officer Mrs Olaore Francisca Adebola revealed that about three million girls are being targeted, saying, “We estimate we have up to three million nine-year-old girls in Osun State whom we are targeting for HPV vaccination.”
New strategies were proposed at the workshop to boost acceptability and reach every community.
