Lagos state initiates anti-cancer vaccine into routine immunisation schedule

On Aug 29, 2023

The Lagos State Government has initiated an anti-cancer vaccine, Human PapillomaVirus vaccine into the state’s routine immunisation schedule to tackle the increasing rate of cervical, anal, and oropharyngeal cancers.

The Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Primary Health Care Board, Dr. Ibrahim Mustafa, revealed that the state government in collaboration with the National Primary Health Care Development Agency and development partners will be commencing the HPV campaign for all girls aged nine to 14 years as one of the phase 1 state routine immunisation in Nigeria.

Mustafa who disclosed this in a statement, said HPV vaccination at an early age is highly important as it provides the best protection against cervical cancer.

He said Nigeria’s HPV vaccine introduction for girls of the targeted age will potentially prevent 71,000 deaths annually if the target age group is reached.

HPV is the most common viral infection of the reproductive tract, mainly transmitted through sexual contact, and most people become infected with HPV shortly after the onset of sexual activity. It also prevent infection by certain types of Human Papillomavirus.

Available data show that no fewer than 14,089 new cervical cancer cases are diagnosed annually in Nigeria, while the World Health Organisation estimates ranked it as the second most common cancer after breast cancer among the country’s female population aged 15 to 44.

The permanent secretary said: “19 per cent of women initiate sexual intercourse by age 15 increasing the risk of HPV infection ( NDHS, report 2018).HPV vaccination at an early age is highly important as it provides the best protection. The objective of the HPV vaccination is to give all eligible girls injectable HPV vaccine into the arm. Given this, we solicit with all parents, guardians community leaders, pastors, and imams to ensure that all eligible girls are vaccinated during the campaign. Please note that Routine Immunization Services will be available at the primary health centres during the HPV vaccination campaign HPV vaccine is free, safe, and highly effective.”

The WHO said two HPV types (16 and 18), which are common in Nigeria, were responsible for nearly 50 per cent of high-grade cervical pre-cancers.

“We will introduce the Human Papillomavirus vaccine in November this year. We need to work towards that because the burden of cervical cancer in Nigeria is huge and unacceptable. HPV vaccination is going to save a lot of lives, millions of lives in the future. We cannot miss that opportunity. We shouldn’t behave the way we are behaving with trans fat, tobacco products, or sugary drinks; we know they are harmful but still, we are watching. HPV vaccination is very effective. If it is introduced and implemented correctly, we will see that the huge burden of cervical cancer will disappear over time when those that we are vaccinating now become adults because it is mostly targeting adolescents. The House of Representatives had in 2021 called on the Federal Government to make the HPV vaccine a routine vaccine in Nigeria, as part of measures towards eradicating cervical cancer in Nigeria,” Mulombo added.

Wumi/Punch