UNICEF seeks youth support for HPV vaccine

On Apr 21, 2024

United Nations Children’s Fund has called on the youth to lend their voice and support towards the successful campaign of the second phase of Human Papilloma Virus vaccination programme beginning in May.

The HPV vaccine is given to girls between the ages of nine and 14 years, and it helps to insure them against the deadly Human Papilloma Virus causing cervical cancer in women.

Cervical cancer among other variants is said to be responsible for highest number of deaths in women after breast cancer.

Speaking during the town and gown interaction held at Covenant University, Ota, a social and behavior change specialist from UNICEF field office, Lagos State, Mrs Aderonke Akinola-Akinwole, called on the youth to use their platforms and structures to continue to promote the well-being and rights of the children, one of which is the HPV vaccine.

The event which has its theme as ‘Strategic Communication for Behaviour Changes in the Digital Age’ was organised by the Mass Communication Department of the university in collaboration with UNICEF.

Mrs Akinola-Akinwole urged the youth to embrace the fast evolving world of technology to remain relevant towards contributing to the socio-economic development of the country.

Akinola-Akinwole said, “We believe that the students have structures, networks and platforms and they have a voice that have very strong influence on the society. We are engaging them so that they can use their platforms and various networks and structures to promote the vaccine uptake, particularly with Human Papiloma Virus Vaccine.”

In her welcome remark, Dr Stella Aririguzoh, Head of Mass Communication Department, commended UNICEF for its efforts in safeguarding the well-being and development of children globally.

PUNCH/Wumi