Nigeria Takes a Bold Step: Launching HPV Vaccine to Combat Cervical Cancer

• Senator Oluremi Tinubu launched the rollout of the HPV vaccine in Nigeria to combat cervical cancer, emphasizing its availability free of charge
• Officials stressed the vaccine’s role in saving lives and called for awareness campaigns and access to vaccination for Nigerian girls

Senator Oluremi Tinubu, the wife of the Nigerian President, officially initiated the rollout of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine during a ceremonial event held at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja.

HPV, commonly known as the Papillomavirus, is the most prevalent viral infection affecting the reproductive tract, and it is responsible for over 95% of cervical cancer cases. The vaccine is primarily intended for girls aged 9 to 14, functioning by stimulating the body’s immune system to produce antibodies against the Human Papillomavirus.

Once administered, the vaccine prompts the immune system to recognize viral proteins within it, enabling it to mount a robust defence against HPV infections.

Senator Oluremi Tinubu declared that the vaccine would be available to all citizens free of charge, effective immediately, at medical facilities throughout the country. She urged parents to ensure their daughters receive this critical vaccination.

Highlighting the significance of this initiative, Senator Tinubu emphasized that it wouldn’t merely end with the vaccine’s introduction. She stressed the importance of education and awareness campaigns about the virus, emphasizing the necessity of regular screenings, improved healthcare access, and behavioural interventions.

Senator Tinubu stated, “I strongly recommend that sexually active girls under 18 avail themselves of this vaccine to prevent future health issues and potential fatalities. In conclusion, introducing the HPV vaccine into our routine immunization schedule represents a significant stride in our mission to safeguard the health and future of our nation’s women. It lays the foundation for a structured and systematic approach to achieving a generation free from cervical cancer.”

Officials underlined that the vaccine would not only prevent cancer but also save lives. They explained that the Ministry of Health, in partnership with the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, was actively collaborating to ensure the vaccine’s widespread availability to Nigerian girls.

Prof. Mohammed Ali-Pate, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, reaffirmed the government’s dedication to citizens’ well-being. He urged parents to prioritize the vaccination of their daughters against cervical cancer, assuring the public of the vaccine’s safety, having been successfully tested in other parts of the world.

Prominent figures, including the Sultan of Sokoto, Abubakar Sa’ad III, and the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, pledged their commitment to raising awareness and encouraging citizens to embrace the vaccine.

Dr. Walter Mulombo, the Country Director of the World Health Organization, acknowledged cervical cancer’s prevalence as the most common form of cancer affecting women and stressed the need to address it. He commended the Nigerian authorities for launching the HPV vaccine.

Furthermore, the Ogun State government, in collaboration with the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency and development partners, commenced the vaccination against cervical cancer. Dr. Tomi Coker, the Commissioner for Health, during her keynote address at the event in Iperu, Ikenne Local Government Area, described it as a vital milestone in progressing toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the current administration. She encouraged parents to actively participate in the program, aiming to reduce cervical abnormalities among women by 90%.

In his welcome address, the Chairman of Ikenne Local Government, Olusegun Ogunleye, urged parents to ensure their children are vaccinated. He emphasized that a lack of awareness and inadequate access to vaccination had contributed to the high rate of cervical cancer in the country.

The ceremony’s highlight was the symbolic vaccination of students drawn from schools in Ikenne Local Government, emphasizing the importance of HPV vaccination in Nigeria’s fight against cervical cancer.