Nigeria flags off nationwide vaccination campaign against cervical cancer

In Nigeria, the government in collaboration with the World Health Organization, WHO, GAVI, UNICEF and other health bodies, has commenced a nationwide vaccination campaign against cervical cancer. The vaccination exercise aims to vaccinate 16.6 million girls aged nine to 14 by the end of 2025…

The Nigerian government has launched a widespread vaccination campaign against human papillomavirus (HPV) in an effort to significantly lower cervical cancer rates across the country.

HPV, a common virus spread through close sexual contact, can cause cervical cancer in a minority of instances.

A significant research published in 2021 discovered that the HPV vaccine reduced cervical cancer cases by over 90%.

According to Nigeria’s Health Minister Muhammad Pate, the program is critical since “at least 12,000 women in Nigeria each year have advanced stages of cervical cancer.”

The statewide vaccination program began on Tuesday, with the health ministry aiming to vaccinate 16.6 million girls aged nine to 14 by the end of 2025.

The vaccine will be included in the routine immunization schedule of healthcare facilities.

The vaccination is provided free of charge by the Federal Ministry of Health, with the help of partners such as Gavi, UNICEF, and WHO.

Over 35,000 health professionals have been trained to ensure widespread vaccine coverage, with mobile vaccination units reaching even the most isolated villages.

Cervical cancer is the third most prevalent cancer among Nigerian women and the second main cause of cancer-related deaths among women aged 15 to 44.