No Stiff Resistance to HPV Vaccination as 3.9m Girls Receive Shots
Federal government says there has been no stiff resistance to the ongoing HPV vaccination exercise as 3.9m of the targeted 7.7m pre-teens receive shots in 12 States
Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer, National Primary Healthcare Development Agency NPHCDA, Dr. Muyi Aina also revealed that the 12 pilot states are almost running out of stock in Gadarsil4 vaccine.
The acting Director of Disease Control and Immunisation, Dr. Garba Rufai, represented the ED/CEO.
Rufai expressed optimism that government will achieve its 7.7m target of pre-teens to receive the HPV vaccination by the time the remaining three states launch their campaigns.
WeNaija Campaign Mobilises Youths On HPV Vaccination, Leadership Accountability
The interactive discourse organised by the Network of Reproductive Health Journalists of Nigeria (NRHJN), had as it’s theme: “Cervical Cancer and HPV Vaccination: Matters Arising” was supported by Mariestopes Nigeria Reproductive Choices.
Welcoming guests, President of the Network, Yinka Shokunbi said, the interactive discourse is the contribution of the group to support government’s effort, .
“And we have elected to be part of the solution.
“Our concern, therefore, as reproductive health writers and as media advocates on the sexual and reproductive health and wellbeing of women and girls, is to provide a writable platform for stakeholders to give us the much desired information
Shokunbi notes, “when impactful knowledge is share using such platforms of the network of reproductive health Journalists, it is sure Nigerian women and girls would be better to take decisions that will protect them and keep them healthy now and in the future.
Recall that ahead of the FG’s October 24 launch of the mass HPV vaccination, antivax crusaders launched social media campaigns against the exercise.
The antivax crusaders directed parents not to allow their young daughters receive the jab of what was termed “killer vaccine”.
Aina at the virtual discourse, noted that government is concerned each time there are antivax campaigns.
Speaking on the topic: ““The Role of the NPHCDA in Mitigating the Challenges and Bottlenecks Around Vaccines and Mass Vaccination Programmes in Nigeria”, Rufai pointed out that antivax campaigners peddle lots of unverified and unsubstantiated lies.
“It becomes more worrisome because of the magnitude of disinformation that are passed to the people majority of who often are gullible to take in lies”, says, Rufai,
He however assures of FG preparedness to continue with educating Nigerians on the benefits accrued to the young girls who receive the HPV vaccination saying, “the vaccine offers needed protection against pre-cancer exposure”.
Dr. Rufai equally refutes claims that those who receive the HPV vaccine will experience serious reactions saying,
According to him, “There has not been any serious adverse effects on records from the field from among those who have been vaccinated”.
According to Rufai 12 states have so far launched the mass vaccination campaign with some reporting on Friday, they were running out of doses of the vaccine..
“In some of these states, they are almost running out of vaccines, because they are being accepted in huge numbers.
“From these 12 states, we have almost vaccinated four million young girls, we are around 3.9 million plus and by the end of today (Friday), we might be crossing the four million mark”, says Rufai
.“In all of these numbers, we have not seen one serious Adverse Event Following Immunisation, AEFI, not one”, he affirmed.
Some of the partners at the virtual discourse included Mrs. Modupe Owojuyigbe Director Health Education Promotion, Lagos State Primary Healthcare Board, Dr. Kingsley Odogwu who represented Country Director, Mariestopes, Mr. Emmanuel Ajah, Mrs. Elizabeth Abímbólá, southwest coordinator, Planned Parenthood Federation of Nigeria,PPFN.
