FG, UNICEF launch HPV vaccination of girls in Bauchi State

The National Health Care Development Agency (NHCDA), in collaboration with UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Bauchi Field Office, on Thursday launched the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine against cervical cancer in Toro Local Government Area of Bauchi State.

The UNICEF Local Government Facilitator in Toro, Mrs Aishatu Labaran, said during the launch in Toro that the vaccination is focusing on girls between the age of nine and 14 years.

She said UNICEF had sensitised religious and traditional leaders, teachers and more than 100 schools in the area on the
importance of the vaccine and the dangers of cervical cancer, hence, the high level of acceptance of the vaccination campaign.

According to reports, HPV is a virus that transmits through skin-to-skin contact and can develop in
anyone who is sexually active.

HPV is a primary cause of cervical cancer and other cancers, including cancer of the vulva, vagina, penis or anus and protecting
young girls before exposure to the virus can reduce incidences of the devastating disease.

The UNICEF officer, who said that the three weeks vaccination is targeting 48,000 girls, added that it has gained acceptance among the people.

He added that “the acceptance of the vaccine is a bit high unlike that of polio. There is less rumour and less non-compliance
in this HPV vaccination”.

Labaran explained that the vaccination would also be introduced into routine immunisation
and urged local government authorities in the state to emphasise community engagement to enhance awareness.

Malami Danjuma, the Health Education Officer, Toro Local Government Area, said that in the first two days of the HPV vaccination
campaign, over 13,000 girls had been vaccinated so far across the area.

He attributed the turnout to the vigorous campaigns embarked upon by members of the LGA Volunteer Community Mobilisers (VCM), mama2mama
and others involved in the pre-rollout activities.

The health education officer said that the importance of the vaccination in the prevention of cervical cancer among women of reproductive age
cannot not be overemphasised.

He lauded UNICEF and other donor agencies for the vaccine and other logistic support for the success of the campaign.

In her remarks, the Director, Primary Healthcare, Toro Local Government Area, Rahmatu Ishiaku, appreciated the Federal Government,
UNICEF and other donor agencies “for making the life saving exercise a reality”.

She added, “People are happy to receive the vaccine and in fact, they are even demanding for it and if it doesn’t reach them, they are coming out to
where the vaccination is taking place.”