Kwara State has launched a vaccination campaign to inoculate over 300,000 girls, aged nine to fourteen, against Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) across its 16 local government areas.
At the vaccination flag-off in Ilorin, organized by the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) in collaboration with the Kwara State government, NPHCDA Executive Director Dr. Muyi Aina highlighted the urgency of combating cervical cancer. Represented by Sheu Hassan, Dr. Aina noted that cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women worldwide and the second most prevalent among Nigerian women.
Dr. Aina emphasized the critical role of the HPV vaccine in preventing the virus, which is the most common viral infection of the reproductive tract and responsible for over 95 percent of cervical cancer cases. He stated that the campaign aims to reach at least 80% of eligible girls within the five-day intensification period, with vaccines available through routine immunization services at primary health care facilities.
He cited global statistics from 2020, estimating 604,000 cervical cancer cases and 342,000 deaths, with Nigeria accounting for 12,075 cases and 7,968 deaths.
Ambassador Olufolake AbdulRazaq, the wife of the Kwara State governor, also spoke at the event, urging stakeholders to counteract negative rumours and misconceptions about the HPV vaccine. She praised traditional leaders for educating residents on the importance of vaccinating their children.
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