Enugu State To Launch Free HPV Vaccination

The Enugu State Government says it will introduce free Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccination, otherwise known as Cervical Cancer vaccination, in the state soon.

Director of Administration and Supplies in Enugu State Primary Health Care Development Agency (ENS-PHCDA) Mrs Blessing Okenwa disclosed this in a statement in Enugu on Tuesday.

Okenwa said the free HPV vaccination would tentatively be kicked-off in the state on Sept. 25, adding that the inject-able vaccination would be a statewide campaign.

She explained that it would be given to female children between the ages of nine and 14, who are within the primary and post-primary school ages.

“I wish to bring to your notice, a planned advocacy visit by the Enugu State Primary Health Care Development Agency (ENS-PHCDA) health team to solicit for your support for the upcoming HPV vaccine introduction in the state.

“Female children between the ages of 9-14 years are eligible to receive this vaccine in order to protect them from cervical cancer.

“These age groups are usually found in schools both primary and secondary; churches, mosques, markets, playgrounds and motor parks.

“The programme is also organised in such a way that school teachers will be part of the team members and in collaboration with other stakeholders,” she added.

The proposed vaccine when introduced will reduce the health and disease burden on families and individual female children, as well as check the increasing rate of cervical cancer among women in the society.

It is observed that currently, private/commercial hospitals in the state charge as much of N20,000 for the HPV vaccines.

NAN/Oyenike Oyeniyi