All-round routine immunization immensely important

By Fasilat Lawal

Parents and guardians have been advised to ensure all-around routine immunization for their children to guard against preventable diseases.

A consultant Paediatrician at the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, EKSUTH, Ado, Dr Oladele Olatunya gave the advice at A-Day Regional Immunization Champion workshop organized by the Paediatric Association of Nigeria and the International Paediatric Association on Human Papillomavirus Vaccines, HPV, to prevent Cervical Cancer among girls and women in the country held at Bodija, Ibadan, Oyo State.

Dr Olatunya explained that administering vaccines in early age would help to prevent Cervical Cancer and enable the government to focus on other needs of the citizenry rather than on health challenges.

The Medical Practitioner called on the participants to key into government policy of newly introduced vaccine at their health facilities and to disseminate facts to people at the grassroots especially the HPV Vaccines for girls from age 9 to 14 in the second phase that would be launched this month.

In a presentation entitled “Reducing Cases of Cervical Cancer Burden: The Case for HPV Vaccine and Single Dose Strategy,” A Consultant Paediatrician at the Osun State Teaching Hospital, Dr Temitope Ayeni explained that cervical cancer had become a burden causing death among women in Nigeria hence more people should be vaccinated to prevent it.

Also speaking, the immediate Past President of the Paediatric Association of Nigeria, and a Professor of Paediatrics at the Ahmadu Bello Teaching Hospital, Zaria, Olufemi Ogunrinde affirmed that the HPV vaccine is a natural way of preventing cervical cancer among girls, urging them to embrace it.

In a remark, the Oyo State Commissioner for Health, Dr Oluwasherimi Ajetunmobi who commended the Paediatric Association of Nigeria for its regular advocacy and leadership in promoting immunization, called on community leaders, policymakers and development partners to collaborate in strengthening the immunization system.

Some of the participants said the workshop had broadened their knowledge and pledged to raise awareness about the benefits of immunization in preventing childhood diseases towards good health service delivery.

Participants were drawn from Lagos, Oyo, Ondo, Osun Ogun and Ekiti states while the HPV Vaccines will be launched in 21 states including Oyo State this month

Subscribe to our Telegram and YouTube Channels and also join our Whatsapp Update Group