Nigeria on Tuesday introduced the human papillomavirus, HPV, vaccine into its routine immunization system, even as it targets 7.7 million girls for HPV vaccination.
Speaking on the development, the Coordinating Minister of Health & Social Welfare, Muhammad Ali Pate said: ‘ The loss of about 8,000 Nigerian women yearly from a disease that is preventable is completely unacceptable. He explained that the onset of the vaccination campaign is an opportunity to safeguard Nigerian girls from the scourge of cervical cancers many years into the future.
The vaccine is being provided for free by the Federal Ministry of Health through the National Primary Health Care Development Agency with support from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the United Nations Children’s Fund , the World Health Organization and other partners. “We’re committed to supporting the government increase access to the HPV vaccine to protect the health and well-being of the next generation of women.”
The Managing Director of Country Programmes Delivery at Gavi, Thabani Maphosa said: Every day, cervical cancer inflicts profound loss and devastation on families across Nigeria. It also disproportionately impacts the lives of women. And yet, it is a disease that can be prevented.