The Federal Government of Nigeria has officially delayed the rollout of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine, originally scheduled for September 25, 2023, to a new date of October 24, 2023.
Dr. Faisal Shuaib, the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, made this crucial announcement during an exclusive interview with News reporters on Sunday.
The original plan had set September 25 (today) as the launch date for administering the HPV vaccine to girls aged nine to 15, with the primary aim of preventing cervical cancer.
This vaccination campaign was set to commence simultaneously in 16 states across Nigeria, including Abia, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Enugu, FCT, Jigawa, Kano, Kebbi, Lagos, Nasarawa, Ogun, Osun, and Taraba.
Cervical cancer, a malignancy affecting the cervix, has been linked to various strains of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually transmitted infection.
Remarkably, the HPV vaccine holds the potential to avert over 90% of HPV-related cancers.
It’s worth noting that Nigeria records an alarming estimated figure of 14,000 women diagnosed with cervical cancer annually, and a heartbreaking 7,968 women succumb to this disease each year.
Dr. Shuaib, during Sunday’s conversation with our correspondent, cited the need to raise more awareness and generate greater demand for the vaccine as the primary reason for the postponement. He stated, “The states were not fully ready to launch. In most launch states, there was a need to create more awareness and demand for the vaccine.”
Meanwhile, the Lagos State Government has indicated that it will announce a new date for the HPV vaccine campaign initially slated for Monday (today). This decision arises from logistical considerations, as informed by the Federal Ministry of Health.
The Lagos State Primary Health Care Board relayed this information in an official statement, signed by its Deputy Director of Public Affairs, Filade Olumide.
Stay tuned for further updates on this vital healthcare initiative.
