The Federal Government had said it would roll out the second phase of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination in May to ensure that eligible girls in the country are vaccinated against cervical cancer.
The exercise, whose first phase was flagged off in October 2023, covered girls from none to 14 years in 16 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The Executive Director, National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr Muyi Aina, while speaking with journalists on Sunday, in Abuja, disclosed that “there is a newer vaccine, which is more effective and will help the country to reach more number of people.”
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He said, “There are two types of vaccines, there is the RTS, which is being used in Cameroon. It has several challenges. There is a newer vaccine, which is more effective and will enable us to reach more people. We are working with GAVI to switch Nigeria’s plan towards that new vaccine so that it will be introduced more effectively.”
The NPHCDA boss after a strategic meeting of the agency, noted that the Federal Government was curtailing the spread of diphtheria across the country; hence, routine immunisation is crucial in averting the spread of the disease.
He said, “We want to identify and fill in the gaps to make sure that when you go into any of these facilities, they are fully functional and have everything you need to receive your services. The Federal Government is committed to doubling the number of functional health facilities in the country over the next four years and to have two functional health facilities in each ward, based on demand.”
The FG had also commenced the process of introducing a malaria vaccine towards the end of 2024 or early 2025 to reduce the high burden of malaria in the country.
