A meeting organized by the Anambra State Primary Health Care Development Agency (ASPHCDA) in partnership with the State Ministry of Health, CHAI, and other key stakeholders on Human Papilloma Virus HPV.
Says that 380,671 girls in Anambra State have received the HPV vaccine According to their statistics….
Human Papilloma Virus Consultant for the Clinton Health Access Initiatives (CHAI), Mr. Akpan Etop gave a number during the meeting in Awka on yesterday, saying that 95,993 girls were missed during the HPV vaccination campaign.
Mr Akpan who gave his statement said about the immunization said….
“Due to the high burden of cervical cancer in the country, the Federal Government introduced the free HPV vaccination.
“The first phase was introduced in 15 states including the federal capital in October 2023 while the second Phase was introduced in 21 states in May 2024.
“Over 12 million girls have been vaccinated in Nigeria and we still have about five million unvaccinated girls. While in Anambra, a total of 380,671 girls were vaccinated and 95,993 were yet to be vaccinated.
“CHAI is working alongside the government through stakeholders’ engagement and community outreaches to ensure that these missed girls are vaccinated and protected against cervical cancer,”
Dr. Nnamdi Uliagbafusi, Director of Disease Control and Immunization at ASPHCDA, assured the public that the HPV vaccine is safe, with no major side effects reported since the start of the campaign in Anambra.
Dr Nnamdi said….
“In Anambra, we have not recorded any major side effects since the vaccination campaign started. We appeal to all stakeholders especially religious leaders to support the campaign,”
He mentioned that the vaccine not only prevents cervical cancer, economic loss, and even death. It is safe for our girls, and I urge parents to encourage their girls to get vaccinated.
Anambra State Health Educator Mrs. Uju Onwuegbuzina, said the meeting was to create awareness and give lessons from previous HPV campaign, review progress and challenges, as well as improve vaccination coverage in the state.
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