The Lagos State Government has introduced Human Papilloma Virus Vaccine HPV an anti-cancer vaccine into the state’s routine immunisation schedule to tackle the increasing rate of Cervical, anal, and oropharyngeal cancers.

Dr Ibrahim Mustafa, The Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Primary health Care Board said the State Government in collaboration with the National Primary Health Care Development Agency and development partners will be commencing the HPV campaign for all girls aged 9 to 14 as one of the Phase 1 state routine immunisation in Nigeria. HPV targeted at that age will potentially prevent 71,000 deaths annually if the target age group is reached. HPV is the most common viral infection of the reproductive tract mainly transmitted through sexual contact and most people become infected with HPV shortly after the onset of sexual activity. No fewer than 14,089 new cervical cancer cases are diagnosed annually in Nigeria according to report.

Similarly, the Federal Government will introduce HPV vaccine on September 25, 2023. This was disclosed on Monday at the Bi-annual review meeting of religious leaders on primary health care delivery in Abuja for girls between 9 to 15. This is to help prevent cervical cancer. The vaccine has a potential to prevent more than 90% of HPV attributable cancers.

CREDIT: PUNCH