Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has flagged off the Papilloma Virus Vaccine for public use on Tuesday, October 24.
The flag-off ceremony was held at the Conference Centre of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The special vaccine is meant for use by girls between the ages of 9 and 14, for protection against cervical cancer.
The First Lady called on parents to avail their daughters of the vaccination.
Authorities say the vaccine is free and safe, and it will be available on Wednesday, October 25th, in all medical facilities across the country to be administered to citizens.
The Nigerian Ministry of Health and the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency are collaborating to introduce and ensure the availability of the vaccine for Nigerian girls.
“The introduction of this HPV vaccine is an entry point to the improvement of adolescent health in Nigeria. Together, let’s ensure that every eligible girl in Nigeria is protected and does not miss the opportunities of the life-saving power of the HPV vaccine. pic.twitter.com/eMxC00Kzgz
— NPHCDA (@NphcdaNG) October 24, 2023
“The HPV vaccine can and will prevent many of these cancers and deaths in women. The decision to introduce the HPV vaccine in Nigeria is indeed a commendable and progressive one, reflecting the collective dedication of the Nigerian government, pic.twitter.com/Njpk7fb7wn
— NPHCDA (@NphcdaNG) October 24, 2023
This is in line with President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s policy of making healthcare available and affordable to the entire citizenry.
In his remarks, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Mohammed Ali-Pate, said the Nigerian government is serious about the well-being of its citizens.
He added that health can be a basis for unifying and healing the nation.
The minister therefore tasked parents with ensuring that their daughters get vaccinated against cervical cancer.
FIRST LADY, OLUREMI TINUBU DECRIES HIGH PREVALENCE OF CERVICAL CANCER IN NIGERIA
Commends introduction of HPV vaccines into routine immunization scheduleThe First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Senator Oluremi Tinubu, CON (@SenRemiTinubu )has decried the high… pic.twitter.com/OiXh0qfvav
— Busola Kukoyi (@KukoyiBusola) October 24, 2023
He assured them that the HPV vaccine is safe, as it has been tested in other parts of the world with tremendous results.
Religious Leaders; His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto, Abubakar Sa’ad III, and the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Arch Bishop Daniel Okoh, both pledged to help achieve the objective of introducing the HPV vaccine by sensitising their followers on the need to embrace the vaccine.
They commended the Nigerian government for introducing the vaccine, which they said will save future generations of Nigerian girls and women.
In his remark, World Health Organization’s country representative, Dr Walter Mulombo, noted that cervical cancer is the most common form of cancer that affects women thus, must be tackled.
He commended and congratulated Nigeria for attaining the feat of launching the HPV vaccine.
There were goodwill messages from UNICEF and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, among many others.
The highlight of the event was the administration of the HPV vaccine to some Nigerian girls, which graced the occasion.
Experts say the vaccine has a 90 percent guarantee of protecting girls from cervical cancer.
In the first phase of the introduction of the vaccine, 15 states in Nigeria, including the Federal Capital Territory, will participate, while others will follow suit later.