Introduction of HPV Vaccine in Nigeria: Protecting Girls Against Cervical Cancer

2023-10-30 11:35:08

Abuja, October 24, 2023 – Nigeria is today introducing the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine into its routine immunization program, with a target of reaching 7.7 million girls. Never before have so many girls been vaccinated at once in the African Region, as part of a vaccination campaign once morest the virus responsible for almost all cervical cancers.

Girls aged 9 to 14 will receive a single dose of the vaccine, which is very effective in preventing infection with papillomavirus types 16 and 18, known to cause at least 70% of cases. cervical cancers.

In Nigeria, cervical cancer is the third most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death among women aged 15 to 44 years. In 2020, the most recent year for which data is available, the country recorded 12,000 new cases and 8,000 deaths from cervical cancer.

“The death of approximately 8,000 Nigerian women each year from preventable disease is completely unacceptable,” said Dr. Muhammad Ali Pate, Coordinating Minister for Health and Social Welfare. “Cervical cancer is mainly caused by the papilloma virus. Parents have the power to avoid all this suffering, both physical and financial, by protecting their children with just one dose of vaccine. Saving lives, achieving quality health outcomes and ensuring the well-being of Nigerians is the heart of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s new health agenda. The vaccination campaign launched today will help protect our girls once morest cervical cancer for many years. As a father of four daughters, I made sure they all received the papillomavirus vaccine because I want to protect them once morest cervical cancer. I implore all parents who have daughters of the same age to do the same to spare this generation from all these deaths from cervical cancer, with their share of unspeakable trials and suffering.”

To begin with, a five-day mass vaccination campaign will be carried out at school and community levels in 16 of Nigeria’s states as well as the Federal Capital Territory. The vaccine will then be integrated into the routine vaccination schedule of health establishments. The second phase of vaccination introduction is expected to begin in May 2024 in the remaining 21 states.

The vaccine is provided free of charge by the Federal Ministry of Health, through the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, with support from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the United Nations Health Fund childhood (UNICEF), the World Health Organization (WHO) and various other partners.

More than 35,000 health workers were trained for the campaign and subsequent distribution of vaccines to all health centers, with the assistance of the WHO Nigeria country office and various partners. Vaccination sites have been set up in all 4,163 districts across 16 states in the first phase of the campaign, ensuring that no eligible girl is left behind. Mobile vaccination units have also been set up to allow isolated communities to access the vaccine.

“This is a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s fight once morest cervical cancer, one of the few cancers that can be eliminated through vaccination,” said Dr. Walter Kazadi Mulombo, Representative of WHO in Nigeria. “We are committed to helping the government expand access to the HPV vaccine to protect the health and well-being of the next generation of women.”

WHO recommends including papilloma virus vaccination in national programs in countries where cervical cancer is a public health priority, and where it is possible to implement this vaccination cost-effectively. and sustainably viable. This is the case of Nigeria, which has given priority to the integration of the vaccine into the country’s systematic immunization schedule.

Global shortages have slowed the introduction of Gavi-supported vaccines. These supply issues are easing today thanks to years of effort to shape the HPV vaccine market and new recommendations that advocate for single-dose vaccination. Recognizing that the improved global supply of HPV vaccines and this new momentum towards cervical cancer prevention represented a unique opportunity to vaccinate large numbers of girls, the Board of Directors of Gavi has approved the relaunch of its HPV vaccination program, which will invest more than US$600 million by the end of 2025. With this additional funding, Gavi and its partners plan to reach the ambitious goal that they have set for themselves, namely to vaccinate more than 86 million girls by the end of 2025, and thus prevent more than 1.4 million deaths from cervical cancer.

“Every day, cervical cancer devastates Nigerian families and inflicts painful losses. But it is women who pay the heaviest price for this disease, even though this disease is preventable. With the HPV vaccine now available free of charge in Nigeria for adolescent girls, communities now have the most effective tool available to combat cervical cancer, and the nation has the opportunity to collectively save lives. millions of lives,” adds Thabani Maphosa, head of national program implementation at Gavi.

In Nigeria alone, it is expected to be possible to protect more than 16 million girls by 2025. To help the country establish sustainable immunization programs and achieve this goal, Gavi is co-financing vaccines and providing support technique for their introduction.

UNICEF has purchased nearly 15 million doses of papilloma virus vaccine on behalf of the Nigerian government. At the same time, this UN children’s agency has produced information materials, including radio and television jingles in several local languages ​​to combat misinformation and rumours. To strengthen these awareness-raising actions, UNICEF supported researchers and academics to conduct studies aimed at better understanding the population’s opinion towards the virus and the vaccine. Furthermore, this organization provided logistical support for vaccination campaigns and distributed cold chain equipment for preserving vaccines.

“The introduction of the papilloma virus vaccine in Nigeria will help protect our girls from the ravages of cervical cancer. This is a monumental breakthrough that is part of our common quest for a better future. This vaccine not only prevents disease; it offers our young girls the promise of a life where they can flourish, free from the specter of this serious health problem. UNICEF is proud to be at the heart of this initiative alongside the Nigerian government and its partners, and will ensure that all affected girls, regardless of where they live or their circumstances, can access this intervention likely to save their lives. Together, we write pages of hope and resilience, and work for the health of the people of Nigeria,” concludes Cristian Munduate, UNICEF representative in Nigeria.

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