Anambra state government through the state ministry of health has disclosed that it is targeting to vaccinate up to one million girls between the ages of nine to 14 years in the state by December 2024 with Human Papilloma Virus vaccine.
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The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike, stated this during a press conference on HPV vaccine in Awka, the state capital. He urged parents , teachers, traditional and religious leaders to encourage young girls between 9 to 14 years to receive the free vaccine and disregard rumours that the vaccine is unsafe for young girls.
“Anambra became imminent after it recorded 1.7% HPV positivity rate at the last state wide screening of 17, 000 persons.
“Anambra state is committed to the health and wellbeing of the people and the HPV vaccine is an important measure to keep the girl child safe from cervical cancer. I am calling on parents and guardians to ensure that their girls within the age bracket are vaccinated as soon as possible.
Dr Obidike revealed that the vaccine has been in the country but expensive and out of the reach for most parents in the state, thus the reason Anambra state government through Mrs Soludo, is providing the vaccine free of charge.
He advised community, religious and political leaders to join in encouraging theif subjects to receive the vaccine and dissuade people from vaccine apathy.
“It is our responsibility to track down the activities of peddlers of fake news against free humanitarian activities in the state, region and the country at large.”
Dr. Obidike stated that HPV vaccine is intended for girls between the ages of nine and 14, while disclosing that the vaccine would ensure that the targeted girls do not get infected with cervical cancer.
He also disclosed that free cervical cancer treatment and testing is ongoing in the state courtesy of the wife of the Governor, Mrs. Nonye Soludo.
The Southeast zonal coordinator of World Health Organization, WHO, Dr. Chukwumuanya Igboekwu who affirmed that HPV vaccine is safe, effective, and free, said that there was an urgent need for all stakeholders to come together to sensitise Anambra people on its importance.
Dr Igboekwu pointed out that the media dialogue was an opportunity to sensitise the public about the advantages of proven global interventions in the prevention of HPV through vaccination and frowned at the attitude of people on social media who use important initiatives as content in growing their pages, misleading the public that Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine in Anambra State is a plan to make the girls sterile and reduce the number of women in the state and the country as a whole.
“Our young girls should make sure they go to the right place for safe vaccination, and disregard people who do not appreciate what the current administration of Governor Chukwuma Soludo is doing in the state.
“The rumour mongers are doing this just to create content for social media consumers.
“The vaccine is free, safe and effective. The vaccine is to prevent cervical cancer among young girls. The vaccine is only meant for girls aged 9 to 14 years.
“Enugu State introduced the vaccine in early 2023, and up until this moment, nothing bad has happened to any girl that administered the vaccine in that state.”
The free vaccination is expected to run across all schools, churches, mosques and markets in the 21 local government areas in the state.
