The Kwara State Government will begin vaccination of over three hundred girls between the ages of nine and fourteen against the Human Papilloma Virus, HPV, next week Monday.
This was announced by a Director at the Kwara State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, KWPHDA Dr Michael Oguntoye at a workshop for journalists on need for effective sensitization of stakeholder about the efficacy of the HPV vaccine.
The programme organised by John Snow Incorporated, JSI, a member of the HPV Vaccine Acceleration Program Partners Initiative, HAPPI Consortium, is being supported by Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
Dr Oguntoye said that the exercise will last for five days and thereafter be incorporated into the routine immunization schedule at the Primary Healthcare Centers across the State and available to young girls who have reached the age of nine.
He implored parents and guardians to grant their consent to enable their young girls benefit from the programme.
Earlier in a presentation, the State Social Mobilization Officer with KWPHDA, Dr Dupe Shittu explained that HPV can be got through sexual intercourse or skin to skin contact.
Dr Shittu said that the infection affects both males and females but more pronounced in females because it predisposes them to cervical cancer.
She affirmed that one dose of HPV Vaccine protects through life but emphasized that sexually active school age girls needed to verify their HPV status before taking the vaccine.
In another presentation, JSI’s Social Behaviourial Change Communication Officer, Mr Kannah Terri-Ibrahim stressed the need for journalists to be well informed about facts on HPV and embark on sensitization campaigns to combat information disorder about the vaccine.
JSI’s Media Consultant, Mary Oluwashola-Okpodu said aside girls in schools, the organisation would also vaccinate out-of-school girls through collaboration with community leaders.