In a renewed effort to safeguard the girl-child from the scourge of cervical cancer, Edo State Government has begun free vaccination against Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), targeting children between nine to 14 years.
Edo State First Lady, Mrs. Betsy Obaseki, who launched the exercise at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium in Benin City, said the vaccine is safe and will be administered free in all health facilities across the state.
She said: “There have been all kinds of negative talks about the vaccine, creating fear in people to stop them from benefiting from this vaccine.
“The vaccine is safe and it is wise for us to vaccinate our children from age nine to 14 years before they become sexually active. The vaccine isn’t available for people above 14 years of age. Let’s use the opportunity to protect the lives and future of our children by coming out for the free vaccination exercise. I urge you to bring your children out to get them vaccinated to keep them safe and well.”
The Executive Secretary, Edo State Primary Healthcare Department Agency (EDSPHDA), Dr Omosigho Izedonwen, said about 12,000 women are affected with HPV yearly with 8,000 of them succumbing to cervical cancer.
Izedonwen noted that cervical cancer can be stopped by immunizing girls between the ages of nine to 14 years of age with a single shot of the HPV vaccine.
She said the vaccine which cost about N50, 000 is now free across the 18 local councils of the state. “We can stop cervical cancer with this vaccine which is safe and available. We thank the Governor Godwin Obaseki for the partnership.
“Those above 14 years of age are not left out. We are also making screening available across the councils free of charge as those above 21 can walk into any of our facilities to do the screening free. The governor loves the people and has ensured they enjoy quality healthcare,” Izedonwen added.
