By Lizzy Carr
The Executive Chairman of Bauchi State Primary Health Care Development Agency Dr. Rilwanu Mohammed has said Bauchi is among 16 states selected for the first phase for the introduction of the Human Papillomavirus HPV vaccine for girls aged nine to 14 years.
He made this known in Bauchi while inaugurating the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine Technical Working Group.
Mohammed said the introduction of the HPV vaccine into the immunization program is targeted as Nigeria’s primary prevention strategy for cervical cancer to complement the secondary intervention and the screening exercise.
“Cancer of the cervix is on the increase among women in Nigeria and is the second most common after breast cancer, these figures are worrisome and the introduction of the HPV vaccine will prevent our girls from contracting the disease in the near future,” he said.
The Executive Chairman noted that the HPV Technical Working Group will focus on the coordination of the pre_introduction, introduction, and post_introduction processes and decision-making for the smooth introduction of the HPV vaccine.
“Today we decided to brief religious leaders about the introduction of the HPV vaccine to have their full understanding and cooperation for the smooth introduction,”
Mohammed also urged the Technical Working Group to create awareness among the society on the importance of the vaccine.
Giving an update on the Human Papillomavirus HPV vaccine introduction, the Director of Planning Research and Statistics Bauchi State Primary Health Care Development Agency Dr Jibreel Muhammad said HPV types 16 and 18 cause at least 70% of cancer of the cervix.
He added that HPV can also affect areas like the anus, vulva, vagina, and penis.
“There are increasing cases of cancer of the cervix which can be prevented, our girls engage in sexual activities as early as less than 15 years (NDIS 2018) and that is the justification for the introduction of the vaccine,” he said.
Muhammad added that Bauchi was selected for phase one because it has a high rate of teenage marriages according to the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey 2021.
“Our girls need this HPV vaccine because the cost of managing cancer of the cervix is very expensive in Nigeria,” he stated.
The HPV vaccine will be administered to girls aged nine to 14 years old who are in or out of school.
The religious leaders called for more enlightenment and the formation of a similar Technical Working Group in local government areas.
