By Muhammad Amaan with agency report
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has challenged parents and guardians to encourage their girl-child to take the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine in public health facilities.
The UNICEF Health Specialist, Dr Ijeoma Agbo, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Saturday.
Agbo said that the role of parents in uptake of the HPV vaccine is vital, “as the girl-child gives priority to parents’ guidelines.”
She said the HPV vaccine is fundamental for girls aged nine to 14 years, adding that it is a confirmed measure for the prevention of cervical cancer.
“We have a target to get this deadly cancer disease among women totally eradicated by year 2030, and the campaign and sensitisation require all hands to be on deck.
“Basically, parents have a major role to play in bringing this exercise to fulfillment by counselling and encouraging their girl-child right from the home and give their consent to take the HPV vaccine.
“UNICEF is committed and ready to collaborate with government health agencies at all levels to protect and prevent our girl-child from falling victims of HPV.
“Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women globally, and the second most common affecting woman in Nigeria, hence, the need to adopt preventive measures,” Agbo said.
The UNICEF health specialist also said that the first phase of the HPV vaccine introduced in 16 states was safe, effective and free in government healthcare facilities.
She noted that the second phase, which would begin on May 27, would capture the remaining 24 states in Nigeria.
