By Iyemah David
The National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), has said that the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is highly efficacious in preventing cervical cancer, but not compulsory in the country.
Executive Director of the NPHCDA, Dr Faisal Shuaib said this to newsmen on Tuesday in Abuja.
The introduction of the vaccine was scheduled to kick off in 16 states – Abia, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Enugu, FCT, Jigawa, Kano, Kebbi, Lagos, Nasarawa, Ogun, Osun, and Taraba.
Cervical cancer is a type of cancer that occurs in the cells of the cervix. Various strains of the HPV, a sexually transmitted infection, play a role in causing most cervical cancer.
Dr Shuaib said that the HPV vaccine has the potential to prevent more than 90 per cent of HPV-attributable cancers.
He said that it primarily targeted the most common cancer-causing HPV strains.
“Vaccination can significantly reduce the risk of developing cervical cancer by preventing HPV infection, which is a major risk factor for this type of cancer,” he said.
He said that it was important to note that the vaccine was not mandatory, and no child would be forced to take it.
“We believe that by providing correct and accurate information about the vaccine, parents will naturally decide to have their daughters vaccinated, just as they did with the COVID-19 vaccine and the polio vaccine in the past.
“In the last six months we have actively promoted the use of the HPV vaccine for girls between the ages of 9 to 14.
“The most important criterion for receiving the vaccine is the age range, rather than any considerations related to virginity.
“We have been engaging with schools, communities, and traditional leaders to provide information and create awareness about the vaccine,” he said.
He acknowledged that there may be concerns and scepticism surrounding vaccines, including the HPV vaccine.
Dr Shuaib emphasised the importance of listening to and understanding these concerns and then providing the necessary information to address them.
“It is not the role of scientists to ridicule or castigate those who express concerns, but rather to provide them with the information they need to make informed decisions,” he said.
He said that the government was committed to working with the media, community-based organizations, religious leaders, and traditional leaders to ensure that accurate information about the HPV vaccine was widely available.
“We believe that by doing so, Nigerians will make the right decision to protect their girls against cervical cancer by availing them of this powerful vaccine,” he said.
Also speaking, the WHO’s Deputy Country Representative, Alexander Chimbaru, said that the introduction of the HPV vaccine in Nigeria was a significant milestone.
Chimbaru said that the age group targeted for vaccination was above the usual target of under five years, which necessitates cooperation from mothers, traditional healers, and the general public.
He said that this emphasised the need for widespread support and involvement to ensure the success of the vaccination campaign by all Nigerians
He said that the challenge of misinformation and disinformation surrounding the vaccine was addressed.
“The role of the media is crucial in providing accurate information and dispelling rumours that could negatively impact the vaccination program,” he said.
He said that the importance of collaboration among various stakeholders, including traditional rulers, the private sector, government departments, and the Ministry of Education, and Health could not be overemphasised.
“Their collective efforts are deemed essential for the successful implementation of the HPV vaccination program,” he said.
Also representing the UNICEF country representative in Nigeria, the Chief of Health, Dr Edwardo Celades, emphasised debunking misinformation, disinformation, and rumours surrounding the HPV vaccine in the country.
Celades highlighted three main reasons for the spread of rumours: lack of information, concerns about safety, and lack of trust.
To counter these rumours, he presented four crucial facts.
He said that extensive global evidence supports the safety of the vaccine, which had been successfully used in 24 African countries, as well as Europe, the US, and Australia.
He said that the vaccine has been approved and pre-qualified by reputable organisations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
He said that the vaccine was proven to be effective in preventing cancer in young girls and women.
“It is one of the few vaccines that can prevent cancer, making it a breakthrough technology in public health,” he said.
He emphasised that the purpose of the vaccine was specifically to prevent cancer and not any other communicable disease.
In Nigeria, an estimated 14,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer, and 7,968 women die from the disease every year.
