Over 2,158 Girls receive HPV vaccine in Nasarawa – Expert

About 2,158 girls between the aged 9-14 years have been vaccinated against Human Papillomavirus Vaccine (HPV), in Nasarawa State.

Speaking during a 1-day media training on HPV vaccinations, the State Health Educator with the Nasarawa State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Ishaya Amegwa, expressed displeasure with the statistics available on the vaccination rate.

He called for wider and effective grassroots sensitization on the virus in order to curb the spread.

According to Amegwa, “In 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.

“Nasarawa (162), Nasarawa Eggon (159), Toto (33), Wamba (130), Akwanga (90), Awe (246), Doma (117), Keana (130), Keffi (120), Kokona (245),” he noted.

He therefore advised parents and guardians to redouble efforts in accessing vaccination at all government healthcare centres, adding that it is free, safe and effective.

Presenting a paper entitled: “Roles of Journalists and Issue-based Reporting On HPV,” Assistant News Director, Radio Nigeria (North-Central), Mr. Shimataver Aondoakaa, tasked media professionals to midwife ideas that would change the society’s negative attitude towards HPV vaccination in the state.

He challenged journalists to advocate for cancer prevention, early vaccination and herd immunity.

In an address, Chairperson of Community Link for Health and Family Advocacy, Mary Ashinenye announced that the training aimed at building capacity of journalists and health producers on HPV advocacy agenda.

Ashenenye said, “The media as agenda setters can address myths and misconceptions about HPV vaccination, which have troubled the success of the vaccination campaign.”

Voice of Nigeria reports that, according to the UNICEF in 2024, Human Papiloma Virus (HPV) is the second most common cancer among women in Nigeria, describing it as prevalent and highly dangerous.