Plateau state to roll out HPV vaccine by 2024
Plateau State Government has put mechanisms in place to roll out Human Papiloma Virus (HPV), vaccine in February 2024.
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Dr Mafwalal Masok, Director of Public Health in the state’s Ministry of Health, disclosed this on Thursday in an interview.
He defined the Human Papiloma Virus, as a sexually transmitted virus which was responsible for various types of cancers, including cancer of the cervix, vulva, anus and vagina.
He said females, who were sexual active are susceptible to the virus.
According to him, “The HPV vaccine serves as a mitigant to the cancerous virus.
“The vaccine was safe, and like any other medicine or vaccine, had some side effects such as fever, dizziness, sourness/ redness of the arm on which the vaccine was administered.”
The director said that based on the assessment of people that received the vaccine, only very few persons came down with some side effects.
He however, explained that it was not a one dose vaccine, and depending on the brand and age, it could either be two or three doses, with an interval of two to six months.
According to him, plans are on top gear to commence adequate sensitisation about the vaccine in Jos to Bukuru axis, as well as the 17 local government areas (LGAs) of the state.
The director emphasised that the vaccine was absolutely free of charge, and it was for girls between the ages of nine and 14.
