By Ovat Abeng
A mega rally on Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine uptake was held at the weekend in Nnewi North Local Government Area of Anambra State to up-scale ongoing sensitization in the area.
The rally was implemented by Education and Research For Sustainable Development (ERSD) in partnership with International Vaccine Access Centre (IVAC), Direct Consulting and Logistics (DCL), National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Women Advocates for Vaccine Access (WAVA) and Medical Women Association of Nigeria (MWAN) with funding from GAVI through John Hopkins.
Speaking at the rally which also served as grand finale of one-month daily sensitization, Executive Director, ERSD, Dr Judith Ani said the free vaccine administration to kick off on Monday, May 27, 2024 is for girls between the ages of 9 to 14.
Ani, member of one of the Civil Society Organizations working with IVAC in Anambra urged parents to take advantage of the opportunity to ensure their daughters within the age brackets were vaccinated.
She said, “Cervical cancer has been found to be the second leading cause of cancer related deaths among women globally. The cause has been found to be Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine.
“Before now, some of the residents were expressing fears that the vaccine were targeted at killing Nigerians to reduce African population, but with the information being passed across, those doubt are being allayed.
“With this rally, those ignorant about the vaccine are beginning to understand what HPV is all about and the importance of having the vaccine.
“We urge parents to allow their children to take the vaccine because parental consent is critical. On the part of the girls, we want them to understand that their health is important and the vaccine is in their own interests.
“They have to convince their parents on the need to take the vaccine which is 100percent safe and effective for cervical cancer prevention, having been tested in several countries.
“They should disabuse their minds from the rumours flying around that the vaccine is unsafe.
“ERSD acknowledges support received from Medical Women Association of Nigeria(MWAN) Anambra State Chapter, MWAN National Maternal and Child Health Committee, Nkwo Nnewi Central Market, St. Joseph Cakes and Events and Kenan Multilinks.”
A consultant paediatrician, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH) and President, Medical Women’s Association of Nigeria (MWAN) Anambra State chapter, Dr Amaka Onubogu regretted high mortality rate of the cancer, revealing that no fewer than 8,000 cases were recorded annually with over 6,000 death.
“Initially, it costs about N80,000 to vaccinate a child, which majority cannot afford. In fact, our study in public and private schools in Nnewi shows that only 3 were vaccinated.
“That’s why government has decided to make it free. This is the first time it’s being introduced in Nigeria as part of routine vaccine. It came in two phases, and this is the second phase which is going on in 21 states across the country.
“We’ve been into aggressive campaign in markets, churches, schools, stakeholders. The pediatrics association in February trained immunization champions across the country with the support of the international body.
“Similarly, Nigeria Medical Association also trained immunization champions through the support of IVAC and these trainings were castigated at the local levels,” she added.
Also speaking, Technical Assistant for Clinton Health Association Initiative, Akpan Patrick said his organization was offering technical assistance to the state for the introduction of HPV into routine immunization and ensure access to vaccine to the public.
He identified hesitance and non-compliance to the vaccine as part of the challenges always encountered during vaccination.
“One of the challenges we encountered during the phase 1 and which may likely occur is hesitant and non-compliance. Others are inadequate sensitization, fears borne out of rumors in the internet that government is partnering with white people to reduce African population which is quite untrue.
“Since we anticipate these challenges, we’ve put up lots of strategies, including rumors management tools to curtail the rumor, advocacy, brought in stakeholders and other gatekeepers, including traditional and religious leaders, school heads, teachers to reach out to the targeted audience.
“About 89 million girls are expected to be vaccinated across the country, while we’re targeting about 476,664 girls in Anambra,” he disclosed.
