By Cecilia Attah
Nigeria has taken an unprecedented leap towards eradicating cervical cancer, which has long been the leading cause of cancer-related fatalities among women in the country.
Nigeria has integrated the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine into its routine immunization program, initiating a nationwide campaign to reach 7.7 million girls. This historic endeavour, the largest of its kind for HPV vaccination in the African region, is aimed at combating the virus responsible for nearly all cervical cancer cases.
HPV is a commonly transmitted virus, primarily through sexual contact, including vaginal, anal, or oral sex with an infected individual.
Cervical cancer, largely triggered by HPV infection, has silently plagued Nigeria, ranking as the third most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths. According to data from 2020, the disease resulted in 12,000 new cases and claimed 8,000 lives annually in Nigeria.
The HPV vaccination campaign focuses on school-aged girls, typically between the ages of 9 to 14, ensuring they receive the necessary doses of this highly effective vaccine for comprehensive protection. UNICEF is committed to reaching every corner of Nigeria, including remote and underserved communities, to ensure no girl is left vulnerable.
Thanks to UNICEF’s comprehensive program, the HPV vaccine, a proven preventive measure against the primary cause of cervical cancer, is now accessible, potentially saving countless lives and empowering generations of young women.
Although the literature on HPV vaccination among boys globally and in Africa, is scarce, UNICEF has stated that if vaccine supplies are sufficient, boys can be vaccinated for HPV, saying that currently, male vaccination is offered in 47 countries worldwide.
The introduction of the HPV vaccine in Nigeria signifies a pivotal moment in the country’s mission to alleviate the burden of cervical cancer, one of the few cancers that can potentially be eliminated through vaccination.
Global organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO), UNICEF, and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, are joining forces to support this initiative.
Muhammad Ali Pate, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, expressed his strong stance against the loss of about 8,000 Nigerian women annually from a preventable disease, highlighting the significance of the vaccine and encouraging parents to protect their children from this disease.
“I have four daughters; all of them have had the same HPV vaccine to protect them against cervical cancer,
I’d like to implore fellow parents to dutifully ensure that this generation of our girls disrupt the preventable loss of lives to cervical cancer in addition to other untold hardship, loss, and pain.”
During the initial rollout, a five-day mass vaccination campaign will be conducted in schools and communities across 16 states and the Federal Capital Territory, ensuring widespread coverage. Subsequently, the vaccine will be incorporated into regular immunization schedules at healthcare facilities. The second phase of vaccination will begin in May 2024, covering 21 states.
With the support of the WHO office in Nigeria, more than 35,000 health workers have been trained to prepare for this initiative, and vaccination sites have been established in all 4,163 wards across the 16 states, leaving no eligible girl behind. Mobile vaccination units have also been set up to reach remote communities.
The vaccine is provided for free by the Federal Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the World Health Organization (WHO), and other partners.
Dr. Walter Kazadi Mulombo, WHO representative in Nigeria, emphasized the significance of this effort, stating “This is a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s efforts to lower the burden of cervical cancer, one of the few cancers which can potentially be eliminated through vaccination, We’re committed to supporting the government increase access to the HPV vaccine to protect the health and well-being of the next generation of women.”
UNICEF, deeply involved in this initiative, through Cristian Munduate, UNICEF Representative in Nigeria says that they have procured nearly 15 million HPV vaccines and produced informational materials, they have also facilitated readiness assessments and provided logistical support for vaccination campaigns, ensuring that every eligible girl in Nigeria, regardless of her circumstances, has access to this life-saving intervention.
“The introduction of the HPV vaccine in Nigeria represents a monumental stride towards safeguarding our girls from the grips of cervical cancer,” “Together, we are scripting a narrative of hope, resilience, and a healthier Nigeria.”
Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, recognizing the urgent need, has invested over US$600 million by the end of 2025 to revitalize its HPV vaccine program. The goal is to reach over 86 million girls by 2025, preventing over 1.4 million future deaths from cervical cancer globally.
State governments in Nigeria are beginning to implement the use of the vaccine and raise awareness among citizens, especially women, about the importance of immunization.
In Bauchi, The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), aims to vaccinate 400,000 girls against Human Papillomavirus (HPV), cutting across the 20 local governments in the state.
Despite concerns raised about the vaccine, Dr. Tunji Alausa, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, has advised Nigerians to ignore uninformed and uneducated content on social media concerning the HPV vaccine.
‘’ HPV vaccine is 100 per cent safe, this is a vaccine that has been in existence for about 18 years now and Nigeria is late to adopting this vaccine’’
Also, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, the wife of the Lagos state governor, stressed that extensive research and rigorous testing have been conducted to ensure the vaccine’s safety and efficacy, with approval from relevant regulatory bodies and reputable health organizations worldwide.
“Let us dispel the wrong notion surrounding the HPV vaccine and embrace the opportunity it presents to prevent HPV-related diseases.
It is the duty of everybody to be vocal about the importance of this vaccination by ensuring that everyone within our sphere of influence partakes in this exercise”
This initiative underscores the power of global collaboration. Governments, non-governmental organizations, healthcare professionals, and communities are uniting to make HPV vaccination accessible to every girl, regardless of their location or economic status. The collective effort against cervical cancer demonstrates the impact of global action on public health outcomes.
With UNICEF’s HPV vaccine initiative in full swing, the dream of a world without cervical cancer is no longer a distant goal but a shared vision that is becoming a reality. As more girls receive the HPV vaccine and awareness spreads, the global community is paving the way for a healthier, cancer-free future for generations to come.
In light of this significant step forward, UNICEF invites the world to join hands and support their mission. By working together, we can create a future where cervical cancer becomes a preventable tragedy of the past, and every girl can look forward to a healthy life, free from the burden of this devastating disease.
