By Nafisat Makinde
A recent report has revealed a dismal turnout for the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination program in Nasarawa State, with only 2,158 girls vaccinated between January and February 2025.
This low vaccination rate has raised concerns among health experts and stakeholders, who emphasize the importance of protecting young girls against cervical cancer.
Ishaya Amegwa, an educator with the state primary health care development agency, expressed concern over the low vaccination rate, stating, “Despite several campaigns, only 2,158 vaccinations against HPV were recorded between January and February this year across the 13 local government areas.”
Amegwa’s statement highlights the need for increased awareness and education about the importance of HPV vaccination.
Mrs. Mary Ashenanye, Chairperson of Community Link for Health and Family Planning (CLHFPA), emphasized the need for increased awareness and commitment from government and health sector stakeholders to combat cervical cancer. “We need to work together to ensure that our young girls are protected against this deadly disease,” she said.
Amegwa reassured the public about the safety of the HPV vaccine, saying, “It is safe and does not affect the reproductive health of women.”
He also highlighted the importance of prevention, noting that “about 80% of women will die when clinical diseases are discovered in advanced stages. However, with the HPV vaccine, we can reduce the risk of cervical cancer and save lives.”
Shimataver Aondoakaa, Assistant Director of News at FRCN’s zonal office in Lafia, presented a paper titled “Roles of media and Issue-based Reporting On HPV,” emphasizing the crucial role of media in promoting positive behavioral change regarding vaccines and overall health.
“The media has a critical role to play in educating the public about the importance of HPV vaccination and debunking myths and misconceptions surrounding the vaccine,” he said.
The training program, a collaborative effort between CLHFPA and Pathfinder International, aimed to reduce cervical cancer incidence and secure the future health of Nasarawa’s female population.
The program brought together stakeholders from various sectors, including healthcare, education, and media, to discuss strategies for increasing HPV vaccination rates and promoting cervical cancer prevention.
By working together, stakeholders hope to increase awareness and education about HPV vaccination, ultimately reducing the risk of cervical cancer and saving lives in Nasarawa State.
The Federal Government should intensify more efforts on sensitization.
Good job
The write up is fine. Highly educative. This will create awareness amongst the people and our government should do more by providing the vaccine to the communities.
Thank you for dropping by
Tour comments is truly appreciated
There should be more englighten ment campaign to bring awareness of the vaccines, the advantage especially long time benefits, reasons for the introduction of the vaccine, if possible radio jingles in local language and pikin English by Federal Government agencies such as the National Orientation Agency should go to schools, and religious centers to inform the people about the vaccine and if there is adverse effects I think it’s equally important to note if ithe vaccine is not meant for everybody , such as age groups, blood groups and so on.
It’s a good measure, most importantly for cervical cancer that concerns woman
Thank you
This is good for women and most especially children,I hope the federal government funds more project like this.
Hmmm, with the way the last global COVID19 Vaccination ended up being an empty hoax that certain satanic agents used to sell their wicked agenda which had no intention of preventing anything but merely introducing dangerous vaccines into the human system, who will easily believe these vaccine hypes? Personally I’m averse to anything vaccine again because the likes of Bill Gates & Mr Soros of USA want to control global population index. Moreover they use Africans as Guinea pigs to test products that they haven’t tried on their own people because they have a strong caring govt that protects its citizens but here in Africa anything goes.
Thank for dropping your comments