Nigeria launches HPV vaccination campaign against cervical cancer

The Nigerian government has taken a step in the fight against cervical cancer by including the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine into the routine immunization program.

This initiative aims to reach seven million girls, marking the largest single-round HPV vaccination effort in Africa.

The vaccine, administered in a single dose, is specifically designed for girls aged nine to 14 years. It has proven to be highly effective in preventing infections caused by HPV types 16 and 18, responsible for approximately 70 percent of cervical cancer cases.

Cervical cancer ranks as the third most prevalent cancer in Nigeria and stands as the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women aged 15 to 44 years. In 2020 alone, Nigeria witnessed 12,000 new cases of cervical cancer, leading to 8,000 tragic deaths.

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Speaking at the launch in Abuja, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, said the loss of about 8,000 Nigerian women a year from a disease that is preventable is unacceptable.

“Cervical cancer is mostly caused by HPV, and parents can avoid physical and financial pain by protecting their children with a single dose of the vaccine.

Saving lives, producing quality health outcomes, and protecting the wellbeing of Nigerians are central to the renewed health agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu

“The onset of the vaccination campaign is an opportunity to safeguard our girls from the scourge of cervical cancers many years into the future. As a parent myself, I have four daughters, and all of them have had the same HPV vaccine to protect them against cervical cancer.

“I would like to implore fellow parents to dutifully ensure that this generation of our girls disrupts the preventable loss of lives to cervical cancer in addition to other untold hardship, loss, and pain,” Pate said.

Meanwhile, the WHO Representative in Nigeria, Dr. Walter Mulombo, said this is a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s efforts to lower the burden of cervical cancer, one of the few cancers that can potentially be eliminated through vaccination.

“We’re committed to supporting the government to increase access to the HPV vaccine to protect the health and well-being of the next generation of women.”

WHO recommends that HPV vaccination be included in the national immunisation programmes of countries where cervical cancer is a public health priority and where its cost-effective and sustainable implementation is feasible.

“As such, Nigeria has prioritised the addition of the vaccine to the country’s routine immunisation schedule.

“Global supply shortages have slowed Gavi-supported vaccine introductions.

These supply issues are now easing thanks to years of market-shaping efforts to develop a more robust HPV vaccine market and the single-dose recommendation.

“Recognising this critical opportunity to reach more girls with higher levels of global HPV vaccine supply and renewed momentum towards accelerating efforts to prevent cervical cancer, the Gavi board approved the revitalization of its HPV vaccine programme with an investment of over $600 million by the end of 2025.

“With the additional funding, Gavi and its partners have set an ambitious goal to reach over 86 million girls by 2025, aiming to avert over 1.4 million future deaths from cervical cancer.”