Group decries low rate of HPV vaccination in Nasarawa

On Mar 22, 2025

The Community Link for Health and Family Health Advocacy (CLHFPA) has decried apathy to Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination in Nasarawa State.

Mrs Mary Ashenanye, CLHFPA Chairperson, made this public while speaking at the One Day media training on HPV Vaccination organised in partnership with Pathfinder International for journalists on Friday in Lafia.

According to Ashenanye, research has shown that HPV is responsible for cervical cancer, the second-highest form of cancer that affects women.

She said that the HPV vaccination campaign in the state suffered a significant setback last year due to the myths and misconceptions about the vaccine.

She said that studies have shown that the HPV vaccine has proven to be effective and posed no threat to the reproductive health of women and girls.

“Human Papillomavirus is a type of virus that affects women, it affects the cervical area of the female organ, and it causes cervical cancer. And this is very dangerous.

“The vaccines are available for teenagers and adults at Private clinics. But for now, the vaccines which the government has provided are mainly for our girls of age 9,” she said.

Ashenanye urged journalists to amplify the campaign for acceptance of the vaccine to save the girl child from cervical cancer.

The CLHFPA chairperson also enjoined parents to make available their girl child of age 9 to be vaccinated.

Presenting the HPV Vaccination statistics in Nasarawa State, Ishaya Amegwa, the State Health Educator, expressed displeasure over the low rate of vaccination.

He said during the year under review, only 2,158 persons were vaccinated across the state, with Lafia the state capital emerging as the least vaccinated LGA with 33 persons.

The health educator called on parents to disregard misconceptions about the vaccine, stressing “the vaccine is effective and safe and does not affect the reproductive health of women.”

Amegwa advised parents and guardians to redouble efforts in accessing vaccination for their daughters and wards at all government healthcare centres.

“About 80 per cent will die when clinical diseases are discovered in advanced stage, this is how serious it is. It is better to prevent it,” he said.

According to him, HPV vaccine introduction targets female children from ages 9 to 14 years old.

“It will avert 71 deaths annually if we are able to reach our coverage. That is the justification for this vaccine,” he said.

In a paper presentation entitled “Roles of Journalists and Issue-based Reporting On HPV”, a veteran journalist, Shimataver Aondoakaa, tasked media professionals to promote ideas that would change the society’s negative attitude toward HPV vaccination in the state.

NAN/Wumi