Former Vice Chancellor of Redeemer’s University, Prof. Oyewale Tomori, has expressed sadness at the reported lukewarm attitude of Nigerians towards the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine.

The virologist, who made the observation, yesterday, at a webinar organised by members of the Network of Reproductive Health Journalists in Nigeria (NRHJN), expressed sadness at the myths and misconceptions surrounding the vaccine.

Wondering why the leaders have not been able to dispel the misinformation weighing down the success of HPV vaccination in the country, he urged the wrongs to be righted.

This, he suggested, can be achieved by ensuring a sustainable public sensitisation of HPV vaccination, to assist in stemming the tide of false information.

The expert said: “We have left gaps in information. Rumours and false information have filled those gaps.

“The introduction of HPV vaccination information should have started way back, as far as six or seven months ago.”

Viewing the action of the Federal Government as medicine after death, he lamented that the country did not learn from the outbreak of Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19).

He said: “We should learn from the past and continuously update our information. We need to be moving forward with the world by relating and translating data.

“We must aggressively counter fake news and rumours, and be consciously ahead of the rumour-mongers. It is an internal fight and we must continue to fight it.”

Corroborating Tomori, renowned Obstetrician and Gynecologist (O&G) consultant at the College of Medicine, University of Lagos (UNILAG), Prof. Rose Anorlu, who took participants through her slide captioned ‘Cervical Cancer: The Right Communication for Prevention’, described cervical cancer as the fourth most prevalent cancer globally.

Emphasising that awareness of a disease is key in the prevention, a mathematical model, according to her, shows that the vaccine can last up to 20 years without a booster dose.

Other experts urged members of the fourth estate of the realm to tread extra legitimate miles to enlighten the public on the importance of the vaccine.

Marie Stopes International of Nigeria (MSION) reportedly supported the webinar, which attracted media practitioners from different parts of the country.