Cervical cancer: FG secures six million doses of HPV vaccine

On Oct 18, 2023

The Federal Government has secured over six million doses of the Human Papillomavirus vaccine and essential supplies for the rollout of the vaccination for girls aged nine to 14 years on October 24, 2023. The Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the National Primary Health Care Agency, Dr Faisal Shuaib, who disclosed this on Tuesday at a press briefing in Abuja said the vaccine would help to prevent HPV infection and reduce the risk of cervical cancer.

Faisal said: “Over the past several months, the NPHCDA, in close collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and our dedicated partners, has diligently executed a comprehensive plan to introduce the HPV vaccine. We have bolstered the capabilities of our frontline healthcare workers, ensuring they are adept at administering the vaccine. Alongside our partners and donors, we have secured over six million doses of the HPV vaccine and essential supplies. We have conducted numerous forums to raise awareness among stakeholders, including parents and caregivers regarding the pivotal importance of HPV vaccination. To address any concerns or misconceptions, have engaged with communities and established a robust monitoring and evaluation framework to measure the impact and progress of the vaccination campaign.

“This vital vaccine introduction will occur in two phases. The first phase will encompass 16 states, including Abia, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Enugu, Jigawa, Kano, Lagos, Nasarawa, Ogun, Osun, Taraba, and the Federal Capital Territory. The second phase is scheduled for the first quarter of 2024 and will encompass the remaining states: Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Ekiti, Gombe, Imo, Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Niger, Ondo, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers, Sokoto, Yobe, and Zamfara.

“1n each phase, we will initiate a five-day campaign encompassing schools, communities, marketplaces, government-owned health facilities and other public places, targeting girls aged nine to 14. Subsequently, we will continue routine vaccination within health facilities for the same age group. By 2025, we anticipate transitioning to full routine Immunization with the HPV vaccine, focusing on girls aged nine.”

Also speaking, the Director General of NAFDAC, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye stated that the agency is committed to ensuring the safety, quality and efficacy of the Gardasil vaccine in the country.

Prof Adeyeye said Gardasil is a vaccine that protects against HPV and it is recommended for girls and boys aged 11 to 12 years, but it can be given as early as nine years or as late as 26 years.

“The vaccine is given as two or three doses, depending on the age of the person receiving it. Gardasil has been granted registration approval by NAFDAC in exercising its mandate as stipulated by its enabling law, NAFDAC Act CapN1, LFN 2004 and after a rigorous regulatory evaluation process for vaccines. Data from immunogenicity trials, post-hoc analyses of efficacy trials, and post-licensure observational studies among females have demonstrated that a single dose of HPV vaccine is sufficient to elicit an immune response that provides similar protection as a multidose regimen against initial and persistent HPV infection. At 18 months post-vaccination, the efficacy of a single dose of HPV vaccine against incident persistent high-risk (HPV16/18) infection was 97.5 per cent (95 per cent CI 82–100) for the nonvalent vaccine and 97.5 per cent (95% CI 82–100) for the bivalent vaccine. Current evidence suggests that a single dose has comparable efficacy and duration of protection as a two-dose schedule and may offer programme advantages, is more efficient and affordable, and contribute to improved coverage,” Adeyeye said.

PUNCH/Wumi