Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, has reported that seven million girls in Nigeria have received vaccinations against the human papillomavirus (HPV) as part of the second phase of a national vaccination campaign.
Cervical cancer, which is primarily caused by HPV, is the second most prevalent cancer among women in Nigeria and results in a significant number of deaths each year.
To combat this pressing health issue, Gavi partnered with several key organizations in October 2023. These partners include the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, the World Health Organisation (WHO), and UNICEF.
Together, they worked to integrate the HPV vaccine into Nigeria’s national immunisation program, aiming to provide widespread protection against HPV and reduce the incidence of cervical cancer across the country.
The first phase of the campaign, launched in October 2023, successfully vaccinated 5.3 million girls across 15 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The second phase, which began in May 2024, has already provided protection to seven million girls in 21 states.
In a statement on Wednesday, Gavi emphasized that the HPV vaccine is a highly effective preventive measure, boasting an average success rate of 92 percent.
Gavi stated that by vaccinating millions of girls in just two weeks, Nigeria has made significant progress towards its goal of reaching 16 million girls by 2025.
In just two weeks, an impressive seven million girls have been vaccinated against the human papillomavirus (HPV), a critical step in protecting them from cervical cancer later in life.
