Health

HPV Vaccine is Safe – Minister

By Web News 5138

Consequent upon the rumour making rounds that some vaccines are killing people, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Tunji Alausa, has given Nigerians assurance that the Human PapillomaVirus, HPV vaccine, aimed at preventing cervical cancer is safe.

Dr Alausa gave the assurance while speaking with newsmen after a courtesy call on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, at the Lagos House, Marina, on Wednesday.

“HPV vaccine is 100 per cent safe,” the minister said, adding, “This is a vaccine that has been in existence for about 18 years now, and Nigeria is late to adopt this vaccine.”

He noted that Nigeria had about 8,000 women “dying from cervical cancer” today, stressing that “this vaccine will prevent cervical cancer by 95 per cent.”

He appealed that girls between the ages of 9 and 15 years should be encouraged to take the vaccine, adding that some countries are already administering the vaccine to women up to 45 years old.

“It is a safe vaccine. We should encourage all our young girls between the ages of nine and 15 years to get this vaccine. In fact, in other parts of the world, the HPV vaccine has been expanded to be administered to women as old as 45 years.

“It saves lives, it prevents cancer. This is one of the preventive things we could do to help our healthcare system,” he said.

Alausa added, “So, let me emphatically say it again: HPV vaccine, the Human PapillomaVirus vaccine is 100 per cent safe. I’m a physician. I’m a father. I have a daughter and she got the vaccine when she was 13 years old and that was about 13 years ago.

“So, I’m putting my mouth where my money is; HPV vaccine is safe. Please, discount any ignorant, uneducated social media information you get. HPV vaccine is safe.”

The Human Papilloma Virus, HPV Vaccine, was rolled out IN Abuja on Tuesday by the wife of the President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.

Meanwhile, schoolgirls aged 9 to 14 years on Thursday received the Human Papillomavirus vaccine at the Junior Secondary School, Asokoro, Abuja.

The vaccination targets over seven million girls, which is the largest number in a single round of HPV vaccination in the African region.

The  girls aged 9 to 14 years will receive a single dose of the vaccine, which prevents HPV types 16 and 18, known to cause at least 70 per cent of cervical cancers.

Culled/Adebukola Aluko

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

Health

Ogun Set to Vaccinate Girls Against HPV

By Web News 403

By Oluwatoyin Adegoke

Ogun State Government, through the State Primary Healthcare Development Board, has announced plans to vaccinate more than five hundred thousand girls in the State against the Human Papilloma Virus, HPV.

The Executive Secretary of the board, Dr Elijah Ogunsola who stated this at a media parley in Abeokuta said those to be covered were girls between the ages of nine and fourteen years

Dr Ogunsola who explained that the Human Papilloma Virus remained one of the major causes of cervical cancer among women, with twelve thousand and seventy-five new cases recorded in Nigeria, urged the people to embrace the vaccine, with a view to checking the spread of the virus.

The Executive Secretary of the State Primary Healthcare Development Board said the 5-day campaign for the vaccine would commence on Tuesday 24th  October, 2023 and would be available in all State-owned facilities, public and private schools, religious houses and marketplaces among others.

He pointed out that the vaccine was targeted at young adults and pre-teens yet to be sexually active, expressing assurance that the move would serve as a preventive measure against cervical cancer.

Similarly, the State Coordinator, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Mrs Victoria Adebiyi affirmed that the vaccine remained safe, effective and free, contrary to the myths and rumours being peddled in some quarters.

She appealed to all stakeholders including, traditional rulers, parents, Religious groups and market women to encourage the acceptance of the vaccine among the people, especially in the rural areas.

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

Health

FG Rolls Out HPV Vaccine Sept. 25

By Web News 395

The federal government has said it would introduce Human Papilloma Virus, HPV, vaccine on September 25, this year, to prevent cervical cancer when given to girls between the ages of nine and 15 years.

 To this end, he solicited the support of traditional and religious leaders across the country to join hands with the medical community in championing the cause of the Human Papilloma Virus, HPV vaccination.

“Revered Leaders, I want to use this auspicious occasion to bring to your attention the progress we are making towards preventing one of the deadliest diseases that affects our mothers, sisters and daughters: cervical cancer. This cancer is caused by the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV).

“On the 25th of September this year, we will be introducing a vaccine, the HPV vaccine that prevents cervical cancer when given to our daughters between the ages 9 to 15 years.

“In your roles as spiritual guides, you hold the power to influence hearts and minds. Your words carry weight and inspire action. Today, I urge you to join hands with the medical community in championing the cause of the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccination”, he said.

According to the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, NPHCDA boss, Dr Faisal Shuaib by encouraging HPV vaccination within their congregations, they (traditional and religious leaders)”become advocates of life and guardians of health.”

” You help dispel myths and fears, fostering a culture of prevention and care. This step aligns with the teachings of compassion, protection and stewardship that your faiths emphasize.

“Consider the impact of our collective endorsement of HPV vaccination. We safeguard our youth’s future, allowing them to pursue dreams unburdened by health concerns. We uphold our duty to care for the vulnerable, ensuring equitable access to lifesaving interventions”, he said.

Explaining that, “HPV vaccination is more than a medical breakthrough”, Dr Shuaib said: “It is a testament to our unity in safeguarding the sanctity of life.”

“As religious leaders, you possess the unique ability to inspire trust and bridge gaps in understanding. By spreading accurate information and advocating for vaccination, you empower individuals/families to make informed choices. Imagine the strength of our message when our faith communities unite behind this cause. By championing HPV vaccination, we send a powerful signal that our values extend beyond the spiritual realm – they encompass every facet of human existence, including health and well-being,” he said.

While appreciating the roles of His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, the Sultan of Sokoto, and His Eminence, the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Archbishop Daniel Okoh in promoting federal government’s vaccination efforts across the country, Dr Shuaib noted that:”They have consistently rallied religious leaders across the country, fostering support for primary healthcare programs and interventions.”

He added that “Our sacred duty as stewards of health and progress compels us to recognize that health is not just a medical issue; it is a profoundly spiritual one. The health of our people reflects the strength of our communities, the depth of our compassion, and the resilience of our nation.

“The National Primary Healthcare Development Agency is driven by a resolute vision: health for all, equitably accessible and sustainably maintained. We believe that a strong foundation of primary healthcare is the cornerstone of a prosperous society. In our endeavor to reach every corner of our nation, we acknowledge the pivotal role that you, esteemed religious leaders, play in this noble pursuit.

“You possess the power to disseminate crucial information that can influence behavior, dispel myths, and encourage preventive practices. Your guidance can inspire individuals and families to seek timely medical attention, to embrace healthy lifestyles, and to embrace the concept that good health is a divine gift to be cherished.”

While insisting that by encouraging HPV vaccination within congregations, the religious and royal fathers become advocates and guardians of health, Dr Shuaib said the such roles place them the opportunity of helping to dispel myths and fears, fostering a culture of prevention and care.

Vanguard/ Oluwayemisi Owonikoko

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