Cervical Cancer Prevention: Lagos Flags Off Gadasil HPV Vaccine Campaign for Adolescent Girls

Funmi Ogundare

The Lagos State Government, yesterday, kicked-off the first phase of the Human Papillomavirus Vaccination (HPV) campaign for girls between 9 and 14 years across the state to prevent cervical cancer.

The Wife of the Lagos State Governor, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, who flagged-off the campaign at the Surulere Local Government Secretariat, emphasised the importance of preventing cervical cancer and ensuring a healthy population in the state.

Sanwo-Olu appealed to all stakeholders to sensitise their communities, parents, schools, market women, religious centres, among others, towards making the girl-child available for the vaccine.

She said: “We don’t want any of our children to get infected with cervical cancer and other diseases. Unfortunately, we have a lot of women who die of the disease, which should have been prevented.”

She dispelled the rumour making rounds about the vaccine, saying that it has been tested and found to be safe.

“It is important that we debunk some of this information and verify from people in authority and health workers. Education and accurate information are key to empowering our community. Fake news will cause war,” Sanwo-Olu stated, adding that the vaccine is also free.

She commended the Lagos State Primary Health Care Board, the UNICEF and other agencies of government who have contributed towards the successful take-off of the campaign.

“As a state, we stand for what we believe in. Let’s continue to work hand -in -hand for the health care of all citizens,” she said.

In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Primary Health Care Board, Dr. Ibrahim Akinwunmi Mustafa, explained that HPV is sexually transmitted and is the causative agent of cervical cancer and other HPV-related diseases such as skin and genital warts.

He quoted the 2018 NDHS report, saying that up to 19 per cent of women, who initiate sexual intercourse by the age of 15 years, have an increased risk of contracting the infection. Mustafa noted that schools and primary health centers have been earmarked as vaccination centers for wider and faster coverage.

The permanent secretary, however, appealed to all stakeholders including parents, guardians, community and religious leaders to ensure all girls in that age bracket are vaccinated during the campaign.

The Chief of Lagos Field Office UNICEF, Ms. Celine Lafoucriere, described the launch of the campaign as a major milestone in the state’s public health system and a step in the right direction towards achieving the health SDGs for adolescent girls.

Lafoucriere explained that HPV, which is a viral infection, accounted for the second highest form of cancer affecting women, and that the vaccine has the potential of reducing cervical cancer by up to 83 per cent.

“It is, therefore, heartwarming that Nigeria is introducing the Gardasil HPV vaccine in a phased approach to sustain the country’s efforts in reducing the morbidity and mortality due to cervical cancer,” she stated.