11th October, 2023
By Adejoke Adeleye, Ogun
No fewer than Five hundred thousand, six hundred and forty-three thousand (564,300) girls in Ogun are to be vaccinated Against cervical cancer by the Primary Health Care Development Board (OGPHECADEB) of the state.
The board in a press briefing held at Okemosan, Abeokuta, emphasized the need for every girl between the ages of 9-14 years who has not been exposed to sexual activities to take the vaccine.
He also dispelled rumours and misconceptions surrounding the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine introduced in Nigeria to combat cervical cancer.
OGPHECADEB affirmed that the HPV vaccine is a safe, free, and effective means of preventing cervical cancer, particularly among females.
Elijah Ogunsola, the Executive Secretary of the Ogun State Primary Health Care, who spoke at the media briefing highlighted that cervical cancer often remains undetected in the body for up to 20 years, leading to an 80 per cent fatality rate among those who contract it.
“Additionally, 80 per cent of individuals who have had cancer in the past had it as a result of cervical cancer. Cervical cancer primarily affects girls and is typically contracted through unprotected sex, multiple sexual partners, oral, anal, and vaginal sex, body contact, female circumcision, and other factors. It impacts the mouth, throat, and vaginal areas, predominantly in females,” he said.
Furthermore, he emphasized that the only means of preventing cervical cancer is through the HPV vaccine.
He added that the vaccine will be administered to female children aged 9 to 14 during a 5-day campaign starting on October 24th in all the 20 local governments in Ogun State.
He added that the campaign will be taken to schools, markets, primary health care facilities, religious gatherings, and other social events, and the vaccine will be provided free of charge.
Ogunsola clarified that the vaccine is limited to girls due to its cost and the fact that it is administered as a single shot (in contrast to other two-shot brands).
Other factors include teenage pregnancy and vaccine availability.
He added that after the campaign, the vaccine will continue to be available in all government healthcare facilities, offered to girls at the age of nine years free of charge.
“It’s important to note that the vaccine is not effective for those who have already developed cervical cancer, and they should seek proper treatment,” he said/
Dr. Adebiyi Victoria, the State Coordinator of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, emphasized that missing the vaccine at the recommended age means it cannot be administered later.
She reiterated that the vaccine is safe and free, and serves the critical purpose of protecting future generations from cervical cancer.
The vaccine has been available in Ogun State for approximately two months, with the state government ensuring proper preservation and accessibility.