The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign in Anambra State has achieved remarkable progress, with 380,671 girls vaccinated against the virus.
However, 95,993 girls missed the vaccination due to factors such as hesitancy and parental consent issues. This milestone, revealed by the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) during a stakeholders’ engagement meeting in Awka, underscores Nigeria’s determination to curb cervical cancer rates.
The vaccination campaign is a collaborative effort involving the Anambra State Primary Health Care Development Agency (ASPHCDA), the State Ministry of Health, CHAI, and other key partners.
Mr. Akpan Etop, CHAI’s HPV Consultant, highlighted the broader context, explaining that the Federal Government launched the free HPV vaccination initiative in October 2023. Since then, over 12 million girls nationwide have received the vaccine, though five million remain unvaccinated. Efforts are ongoing to close this gap through targeted community outreaches and stakeholder collaboration.
“Due to the high burden of cervical cancer in the country, the Federal Government introduced the free HPV vaccination. The first phase was introduced in 15 states including the federal capital in October 2023 while the second phase was introduced in 21 states in May 2024,” Etop stated.
In Anambra, the HPV vaccine has been integrated into routine immunization schedules, ensuring sustainable access. Etop urged community leaders, parents, and religious figures to support the campaign and address the stigma around vaccination.
He noted, “CHAI is working alongside the government through stakeholders’ engagement and community outreaches to ensure that these missed girls are vaccinated and protected against cervical cancer.”
Dr. Nnamdi Uliagbafusi, Director of Disease Control and Immunisation at ASPHCDA, reassured the public of the vaccine’s safety. He stated that no major side effects had been recorded since the campaign began. He emphasized the dual benefits of the vaccine—preventing cervical cancer and reducing the economic burden associated with treating advanced cases of the disease.
“In Anambra, we have not recorded any major side effects since the vaccination campaign started. We appeal to all stakeholders especially religious leaders to support the campaign,” Uliagbafusi emphasized.
The meeting also reviewed challenges faced during the campaign, such as vaccine hesitancy and logistical hurdles. Mrs. Uju Onwuegbuzina, Anambra State Health Educator, stressed the importance of learning from past campaigns to improve vaccination coverage. She called on all stakeholders to intensify efforts in reaching unvaccinated girls.
The HPV vaccine is critical in Nigeria’s fight against cervical cancer, a disease largely caused by high-risk strains of the virus. Vaccinating young girls not only prevents HPV-related cancers but also advances the broader goal of strengthening public health systems.
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