Reports say that on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) paid a special visit to stakeholders in Ibadan to solicit their dedication to promoting confidence in the uptake of the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine in Oyo State and Nigeria at large.
The social and behaviour change specialist at UNICEF Lagos, Aderonke Akinola-Akinwole led the UNICEF team which visited community and traditional monarchs, market heads and religious leaders.
Akinola-Akinwole said the purpose of the visit was to sensitise the general public about HPV and the importance of vaccination.
She admonished stakeholders, including parents and caregivers, to join in the awareness campaign to promote the uptake of the HPV vaccine by female wards.
“It’s not harmful; if not, the government will not approve and bring it,” Ms Akinola-Akinwole said.
“It should be a collaboration. The HPV vaccine will be launched in Oyo State on May 27 and remain in the health centres as part of the country’s routine immunisation schedule. The vaccine, which is for girls between 9 and 14 years, is to reduce the cancer rate in women and the burden of cervical cancer among young girls.
According to Akinola-Akinwole, cervical cancer is the second leading cause of female mortality rate in Nigeria.
