Africa (Commonwealth Union) _ Nigeria has taken a significant step in public health by expanding the availability of the HPV vaccine, aimed at preventing cervical cancer, across the majority of its states. This move comes after the vaccine was first introduced as part of the country’s routine immunisation programme in October of the previous year.
In the southwestern state of Oyo, health workers actively participated in efforts to disseminate information about the vaccine in local villages. Ramotalai Awoniran, a local resident, expressed her support for the vaccination drive after her daughter received the vaccine. “We have heard about cervical cancer before now and we are aware of the disease it creates, that’s why I asked my daughter to go get vaccinated as a preventive measure,” she said.
Cervical cancer remains a major health concern in Nigeria, being the third most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer deaths among women aged 15 to 44 years, according to the United Nations. In 2020 alone, the country recorded 12,000 new cases and 8,000 deaths due to cervical cancer.
The introduction and expansion of the HPV vaccine in Nigeria come with unique challenges compared to other vaccination campaigns. Nigeria’s diverse population, with over 500 languages spoken, poses significant communication barriers. Additionally, the country’s underfunded primary healthcare centers, which are often the most remote government-run facilities where vaccines are administered, add to the logistical difficulties.
Despite these challenges, Nigerian authorities have been proactive in ramping up educational campaigns both online and offline to inform citizens about the HPV vaccine. Lagbenro Arinlade-Ayoade, Oyo-west’s primary health care coordinator, addressed concerns about the vaccine. “There are some rumours going around that they want to reduce the fertility of the girls, but we have been educating the parents that this vaccine is safe, the only thing it does is it prevents cervical cancer,” she told The Associated Press.
While the HPV vaccine has been widely used in developed nations for nearly two decades, its adoption in African immunisation programmes has been limited, with only half of the continent’s countries including it. Africa bears a heavy burden of cervical cancer, with one in five global cervical cancer deaths occurring there in 2020. That year, 100,000 women in Africa developed the disease, resulting in 70,000 deaths.
The nationwide vaccination drive in Nigeria represents a critical effort to reduce the incidence and mortality of cervical cancer. By educating the public and overcoming logistical challenges, Nigerian authorities aim to protect future generations of women from this preventable disease.
