Ogun Health Care Clarifies Rumors of HPV Vaccine for Girls Aged Nine To Fourteen
Ogun State Primary Health Care Development board has dispelled rumors surrounding the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine about to be introduced to combat cervical cancer among girls aged nine to fourteen.
The agency says the HPV vaccine, to be introduced by Federal Government in 16 states during the first phase, is a safe, free, and effective means of preventing cervical cancer, particularly among females.
The Executive Secretary, Elijah Ogunsola, made this clarification on Tuesday at a news briefing held at the agency office in Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.
He stressed the importance of the HPV vaccine in preventing cervical cancer among girls aged 9 to 14, who have not yet been exposed to sexual activities.
According to him, cervical cancer primarily affects girls and is typically contracted through unprotected sex, multiple sexual partners, oral, anal, and vaginal sex, body contact, female circumcision, and other factors.
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The vaccine is to be administered to the targeted girl child during a five -day campaign starting on October 24, across all the state’s 20 Local Government Areas.
The campaign will reach schools, markets, primary health care facilities, religious gatherings, and other social events, and the vaccine will be provided free of charge.
After the campaign, the vaccine will still be available in government health care facilities, to girls at the age of nine years free of charge.
Ogunsola clarified that the vaccine is limited to girls due to its cost and the fact that it is administered as a single shot (in contrast to other two-shot brands).
Other factors include teenage pregnancy and vaccine availability.
He added that after the campaign, the vaccine will continue to be available in all government healthcare facilities, offered to girls at the age of nine years free of charge.
“It’s important to note that the vaccine is not effective for those who have already developed cervical cancer, and they should seek proper treatment,” he said
