Over 311,000 female students aged between 9 and 14 in Kwara State are expected to receive the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine as part of efforts to tackle cervical cancer.
Dr. Nusirat Elelu, the Executive Secretary of the Kwara State Primary Health Care Development Agency, made this announcement during the launch of the HPV Vaccine Rollout and Greening Our Future Initiative held in Ilorin.
She said, “Going by the guidelines given by the NPHCDA, we are set to vaccinate about 311,000 eligible girls aged between 9-14 years across the nooks and crannies of Kwara State with the HPV vaccine.
“All pre implementation conditions have been met including the timely release of the state counterpart funds by Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to ensure a smooth and seamless implementation”.
Dr. Muyi Aina, the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), disclosed that a minimum of 80% of eligible girls will be vaccinated. Subsequently, access to the HPV vaccines will be integrated into routine immunisation services at Primary Health Care (PHC) facilities.
“Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women globally and the second most common cancer affecting women in Nigeria. It is estimated that 604,000 cases with 342,000 deaths occurred globally in 2020, and an estimated 12,075 cases and 7,968 deaths were recorded in Nigeria,” he said.
He said the HPV vaccine is free, safe and effective. He called on stakeholders to mobilise families, friends and communities to ensure all girls are vaccinated.
In all, a total of 787 girls were vaccinated at the event.