Lagos postpones HPV vaccine campaign

Lagos State Government has said it will announce a new date for the introduction of the Human Papillomavirus Vaccine (HPV) campaign, which was scheduled to begin today for logistics reasons as informed by the Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH).

This was announced by the Commissioner for Health in Lagos, Prof. Akin Abayomi over the weekend.

According to Abayomi, the state government regrets any inconveniences as a result of the postponement, saying: “As soon as a new date is communicated to Lagos, members of the public will be informed accordingly.”

Human Papillomavirus is a sexually transmitted disease that causes cervical cancer and other HPV-related diseases such as skin and vaginal warts. 19 per cent of women initiate sexual intercourse by age 15 thereby increasing the risk of HPV infection (NDHS, report 2018).

Nigeria’s HPV vaccine introduction for girls of the targeted age 9 to 14 years will potentially prevent 71,000 deaths annually. HPV vaccination at an early age is highly important as it provides the best protection. The objective of the HPV vaccination is to give all eligible girls an injectable HPV vaccine into the arm, for protection against cervical cancer.

A statement signed by Deputy Director, Public Affairs, Lagos State Primary Health Care Board (LSPHCB), Filade Olumide, noted that schools, churches, mosques, primary health centres, hospitals, outreach posts, markets, gated estates & other designated posts within the community have been earmarked as vaccination centres.

He urged the public to note that routine immunisation services would be available at the Primary Healthcare Centres in councils and development areas in the state, adding that the HPV vaccine is free, safe, highly effective and a life saver.