The Immunization Officer at the Rivers State Primary Health Care Board, Dr. Joseph Urang, revealed that over six million girls aged 9-14 have received vaccine doses thus far.
Dr. Urang disclosed these figures during the opening of a two-day media dialogue on "Care for Small and Sick New-Borns, Oxygen Availability and the Introduction of HPV Vaccine in Nigeria," held in Port Harcourt on Thursday.
The government's objective is to vaccinate 80% of girls within the target demographic in the designated pilot states, aiming to safeguard them against cervical cancer and HPV-related diseases.
Dr. Urang noted that Taraba State leads with an impressive 98% immunization coverage since the program's commencement on October 24. In contrast, Lagos State currently has the lowest coverage at 31%.
Dr. Urang noted the importance of the HPV vaccine, describing it as a double-stranded DNA virus transmitted through sexual contact, capable of triggering genital infections and malignancies like cervical cancer.
Quoting statistics from the World Health Organization (WHO), Dr. Urang pointed out that Nigeria accounts for over 12,000 new cervical cancer cases and close to 8,000 deaths annually, making it the second most common cancer among women in the country.
“Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer among women globally, with an estimated 604,000 new cases and over 31 million deaths annually.
“Nigeria has a population of 56.2 million women aged 15 years and older at risk of developing cervical cancer.
“Current estimates indicate that every year 12,075 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer and 7,968 die from the disease.
“Cervical cancer ranks as the second most frequent cancer among women in Nigeria and the second most frequent cancer among women between 15 and 44 years of age,” he noted.
He advised parents and guardians to ensure their daughters take the free HPV jabs within the ideal 9-14 age bracket for maximum potency. Urang assuaged fears about adverse effects from data showing no complications post-immunisation.
