Following the Federal government’s decision to implement the first phase of free Human Papillomavirus, HPV, vaccination for girls between ages of 9 to 14 years in Lagos, the Lagos State Primary Health Care Board, LSPHCB, has charged parents to ensure that their children get vaccinated against the virus.
The Director, LSPHCB, Mrs Clara Owojuyigbe made this known at a one-day media orientation campaign where government and stakeholders discussed the importance and the benefit of the vaccine to young girls.
The stakeholders also concluded on providing free vaccination which will commence from September 25 to 30.
According to the Director, the first phase of the vaccination for pre-teen girls will be carried out in 16 states in Nigeria which include; Lagos,Kano, Abuja, Nasarawa, Jigawa,Abia Enugu, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, Benue, Bauchi, Taraba, Adamawa, Kebbi,Ogun, Osun states.
Mrs. Owojuyigbe, who represented the Permanent Secretary, Lagos state Ministry of Health said it was imperative for the vaccines to start being used in Nigeria to prevent the disease from becoming
endemic.
Also, UNICEF Consultant, Mrs Boma Utobo stated that it is important for parents to bring their girl child for the HPV vaccination as the myths and misinformation surrounding it did not hold water.
According to her for every vaccination, there are side effects that are common.
“After vaccination, the person might get a little fever or swelling in the area that was injected. These are normal reactions and parents should not use this as a reason not to bring their pre-teen daughters for vaccination”. Utobo explained.
She said the vaccine has an efficacy rate of 95 per cent and the HPV vaccination has been used in other countries such as the United States (US), United Kingdom (UK), China and India.
Utobo noted that one shot of the vaccine is enough to protect the body against HPV infection in a lifetime.
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