Targets remaining 21 states, opts for new malaria vaccine
Federal Government will roll out the second phase of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination in May this year to cover the remaining 21 states and ensure that eligible girls in the country are vaccinated against cervical cancer.
The exercise, whose first phase was flagged off in October 2023, covered girls from none to 14 years in 16 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Also, the government has commenced the process of introducing malaria vaccine towards the end of 2024 or early 2025 to reduce the high burden of malaria in the country.
Executive Director, National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr Muyi Aina, while speaking with journalists after a strategic meeting of the agency, at the weekend, in Abuja, observed that “there is a newer vaccine, which is more effective and will help the country to reach more number of people.”
He said: “There are two types of vaccines, there is the RTS, which is being used in Cameroon. It has a number of challenges. There is a newer vaccine, which is more effective and will enable us to reach more people. We are working with GAVI to switch Nigeria’s plan towards that new vaccine, so that it will be introduced in a more effective way.”
The NPHCDA boss noted that the Federal Government was curtailing the spread of diphtheria across the country; hence, routine immunisation is crucial in averting the spread of the disease.
According to him, the government is working to increase the number of functional health facilities in the country over the next four years and is targeting to have two functional health facilities in each ward, but based on demand, to ensure that Nigerians have access to quality service and affordable health care services.
He said: “We want to identify and fill in the gaps to make sure that when you go into any of these facilities, they are fully functional and have everything you need to receive your services. The Federal Government is committed to doubling the number of functional health facilities in the country over the next four years and to have two functional health facilities in each ward, based on demand.”
