Nigeria has officially included the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine in its regular immunization program.
The initiative aims to vaccinate approximately 7.7 million girls between the ages of 9 and 14 against HPV, the primary cause of cervical cancer in Africa. In 2020, Nigeria reported 12,000 new cases and 8,000 deaths from cervical cancer, making it the second most common cancer among women aged 15 to 44 and the third most common overall.
Muhammad Ali Pate, the Coordinating Minister of Health & Social Welfare, expressed his commitment to eliminating preventable cervical cancer cases and encouraged parents to protect their daughters by ensuring they receive the vaccine.
The vaccination campaign will begin with a five-day mass vaccination in schools and communities across 16 states and the Federal Capital Territory. After the initial phase, the vaccine will be integrated into routine immunization schedules at health facilities. The second phase is set to launch in May 2024 across 21 states.
The vaccine is provided free of charge by the Federal Ministry of Health, with support from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, UNICEF, the World Health Organization (WHO), and other partners.
Dr. Walter Kazadi Mulombo, WHO Representative in Nigeria, highlighted that HPV vaccination is a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s efforts to reduce cervical cancer’s burden. The WHO recommends the inclusion of HPV vaccination in national immunization programs where cervical cancer is a public health concern and feasible for cost-effective, sustainable implementation. With additional funding, Gavi and its partners aim to reach over 86 million girls in Nigeria by 2025, preventing more than 1.4 million cervical cancer-related deaths.
The introduction of the HPV vaccine is a significant step toward protecting girls from cervical cancer in Nigeria, with over 16 million girls expected to benefit by 2025. Gavi is co-financing the vaccines and offering technical support to help establish sustainable immunization programs. UNICEF has procured nearly 15 million HPV vaccines and is actively contributing to the campaign.
The vaccine introduction in Nigeria offers a promising future for young women and the nation, reducing the devastating impact of cervical cancer on families and communities. Thabani Maphosa, Managing Director of Country Programs Delivery at Gavi, emphasizes the potential to save millions of lives through this essential preventive measure.
The campaign’s goal is to provide girls across Nigeria, regardless of their location or circumstances, access to this life-saving intervention, creating a healthier, brighter future for all.