By Milcah Tanimu
In a significant move, Nigeria’s Federal Government has incorporated the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine into its routine immunization system. This groundbreaking initiative targets more than seven million girls, marking the largest single round of HPV vaccination in the African region.
Under this program, girls between the ages of nine and 14 will receive a single dose of the vaccine, known for its high efficacy in preventing HPV types 16 and 18, which are responsible for at least 70 percent of cervical cancer cases.
Cervical cancer stands as the third most common cancer in Nigeria, posing the second-highest risk of cancer-related mortality for women aged 15 to 44. In 2020, the country recorded 12,000 new cases and 8,000 deaths from cervical cancer.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has revealed plans for a five-day mass vaccination campaign in schools and communities as part of the inaugural rollout, covering 16 states and the Federal Capital Territory. Following this, the vaccine will be incorporated into the regular immunization schedules at healthcare facilities. The second phase of the vaccination program is scheduled to commence in May 2024, encompassing 21 states.
This vital vaccine is provided free of charge by the Federal Ministry of Health in collaboration with the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, with support from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the World Health Organization (WHO), and other partners.
In preparation for the campaign and vaccine distribution, over 35,000 health workers have been trained with support from the WHO country office in Nigeria and other partners. To ensure accessibility, vaccination sites have been established in all 4,163 wards across the 16 states involved in the initial rollout, and mobile vaccination units have been deployed to reach remote communities.
Prof. Ali Pate, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, expressed his concern about the preventable loss of about 8,000 Nigerian women annually due to cervical cancer, emphasizing the importance of protecting children through HPV vaccination.
Dr. Walter Mulombo, the WHO Representative in Nigeria, hailed this as a pivotal moment in the country’s efforts to reduce the burden of cervical cancer, highlighting the potential for cervical cancer elimination through vaccination.