Ondo State Government will introduce the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine into the system in May 2024.
It will thereafter be included into the Routine Immunization Schedule. The Permanent Secretary, Ondo State Primary Health Care Development Agency (OSPHCDA), Dr. Francis Adegoke Akanbiemu revealed this on Thursday during the inauguration of the State technical working group on introduction of Human Papilloma Virus Vaccine (HPVV) in Akure.
Speaking extensively on HPV, he said there are various types of it, but the most serious one is the one that causes damage to the cervix of women if unattended to saying, “it leads to cervical cancer.”
While noting that the virus affects both male and female, he stated that it poses more danger when it affects the female folk.
Akanbiemu who stated that the World Health Organisation (WHO) embarked on the intervention of producing vaccine to prevent women with the disease from developing cancer, described cervical cancer as the second killer of women after breast cancer.
Speaking further, he explained that in advanced countries, the introduction of the vaccine has reduced incidences of cancer, stating that this informed Federal Government’s decision in collaboration with other developing partners in ensuring that such benefit is extended to Nigeria.
According to him, 19 states in Nigeria commenced the vaccination in 2023.
He called on committee members to disabuse the minds of residents against related myths to HPV vaccine which according to him is more effective and safer.
The vaccine he said is more effective when given before a girl is sexually active, stating that the vaccine targets girls between the age of nine and 14 years.
He said, “The vaccines are extremely safe. It does not cause infertility and it is not aimed at reducing population.”
He called on stakeholders to sensitise residents on the need to give adequate support to the exercise by making themselves available for the vaccination.
Director, Disease Control and Immunisation, OSPHCDA, Dr. Victor Adefesoye in his welcome address thanked the state government and developing partners for their efforts in fighting the disease.
.
