By Kemi Olatunde

Ondo State has recorded 94 per cent coverage in the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccination exercise, which was introduced into the state on May 24, 2024 for girls between the ages of nine and 14 years.

In a related development, from January 2025, the HPV vaccination will be administered only to girls aged nine years.

State Immunisation Officer, Mrs. Comfort Olagundoye revealed this at a debriefing of the Technical Working Group (TWG) on Human Papilloma Virus Vaccine Introduction (HPVVI) in the state on in Akure.

According to her, the federal government rolled out the vaccine to immunise the most vulnerable population (girls between nine and 14 years) to reduce morbidity and mortality from cervical cancer, adding that it was implemented in two phases in Nigeria.

She explained that 321,008 girls have been vaccinated against HPV in the state, out of a target population of 427,760.

She stated that 53 girls had mild reactions to the vaccination, noting that there were no incidents of serious reactions.

Commissioner for Health, Dr. Banji Awolowo Ajaka, in his opening remarks, commended the Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, for being the only state governor who personally flagged off the HPV vaccination in Nigeria and appreciated stakeholders for their support during the exercise.

He enjoined all to mobilise girls within the stipulated age who have not yet been vaccinated to take the vaccine to prevent cervical cancer in the country, adding that the vaccine will be incorporated into the state’s routine immunisation for the benefit of all.

Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Lola Fagbemi, while describing the state OSPHCDA as the best in the country in terms of performance, thanked development partners and called on everyone, especially women, to help prevent the virus by encouraging the intake of the HPV vaccination.

Special Adviser to the Governor on Gender, Mrs. Olumide Falana, who noted that the state always takes the lead in all interventions, stated that the HPV vaccine saves girls from future illnesses, stressing the need to re-energise the system to save the future of young girls in the state.

In his welcome address, Permanent Secretary, Ondo State Primary Health Care Development Agency (OSPHCDA), Dr. Francis Akanbiemu noted that the state participated in the second phase of the vaccination in the country, adding that the HPV vaccine has become a routine immunisation to ensure the vaccination of eligible girls.

Describing the vaccination as one of the ways to prevent cervical cancer before the eligible girls become exposed to sexual activity, he called on everyone to strive to care for their children to guarantee a healthy future for them.

Representative of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Mrs. Modupe Dosunmu, described the prompt commencement of advocacy visits as one of the measures that contributed to the success recorded in the exercise, calling  on stakeholders not to relent in their efforts to vaccinate more girls before December 2024.

Representative of Girl Effect, the sponsor of the event, Kosi Izundu, while describing the organisation as one centred on girls, congratulated the state on the success achieved and pledged more support to the state.

In his remarks, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. Niran Ikuomola, while stressing the need for everyone to allow doubts about the vaccine to fizzle out, called on all to play their role in ensuring that girls in the state do not develop cervical cancer.

In his goodwill message,  representative of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Mr. Adetunji Adeoye called for the support of all in ensuring the prompt vaccination of girls who have not yet been vaccinated at health facilities in the state.