The Kano state government Saturday targeted immunisation of 1, 550, 000 girls between ages 9 and 14 during the five-day campaign for the vaccination of Human Papiloma Virus (HPV) flagged off by the Commissioner of Health, Dr. Abubakar Labaran Yusuf, at Nasarawa Hospital, Kano.
Dr. Yusuf who stated the targeted number to be vaccinated during the campaign said the exercise is scheduled to take place across the 44 local government areas of the state.
He said the HPV vaccination campaign is a proven scientific invention found to be effective in preventing HPV infection that leads to cervical cancer in women.
He stated further that a single dose of the vaccine is highly effective in preventing infection with HPV Types 16 and 18 which are known to cause 70 per cent of cervical cancer.
Dr. Yusuf further stated that: “The mass vaccination campaign is designed to take place in schools and communities, including places of worship, using temporary fixed posts.
“It is hoped that the vaccine will later be incorporated into vaccine immunisation schedules within health facilities. The vaccine is safe, free and effective.”
He called on parents and other care givers to, “use this golden opportunity provided by the government to ensure that children (girls aged 9–14 years) receive this vaccine to get protected from HPV infection that cause cervical cancer which leads to untimely death of women in this country.
“Cervical cancer is now considered a vaccine preventable cancer evidenced by significant reduction in its prevalence in countries where the vaccine is taking through routine immunisation process.”
