- targets 6m girls in second phase
From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, has confirmed that about 4.9 million girls have been given Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccines in Nigeria.
The Minister disclosed the information in Abuja, on Friday, in his speech at the sectoral ministerial press briefing to commemorate to first year of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu’s administration.
The Minister was impressed with the achievements, expressing optimism that more girls would still be reached with the vaccine which will guarantee their protection against HPV which is the major cause of cervical cancer.
The Minister confirmed that the second phase of the vaccination which will involve the remaining states of the federation will commence on Monday, May 27th, and over 6 million girls are targeted.
He maintained that the success of the HPV vaccine will protect the girl children against cervical cancer in the future.
“In addition to that, we are making other efforts to improve the screening for cancer in Nigeria, notably, breast, cervical cancer. National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT) is doing excellently well in that regard including enlightened and advocacy.
“All activities of the Federal Ministry of Health in response to cancer has been moved to NICRAT and we expect good working conditions that would herald positive results.”
Recall that HPV vaccine was introduced into the Nigeria’s routine immunization coverage in late last year in 15 states that was chosen to participate in the first phase of the vaccination.