The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced that the vaccination campaign against Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) will commence soon in Kogi State.
Dr. Muktar Raji Toyosi, the Kogi State Team Leader of WHO, revealed this during a visit to the State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Lokoja.
Dr. Toyosi clarified that the vaccination is intended for girls aged nine to fourteen and is scheduled to begin on May 27th.
He emphasized that ongoing awareness efforts aim to inform and educate the populace about vaccinating their daughters to safeguard against cervical cancer in the future.
“Kogi State is part of the second phase of the program. We seek the media’s cooperation in enlightening the state’s residents about the importance of vaccinating their girls to secure their future. Although the vaccine was previously scarce, it is now available thanks to the Government’s efforts,” he emphasized.
Dr. Ahmed Attah, a former Chairman of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) in Kogi State and WHO State Technical Assistant, highlighted that HPV primarily affects women and emphasized the importance of vaccinating girls as a preventive measure.
He urged parents and guardians to ensure their children receive the vaccination to support the government’s investment in the program.
In response, Kogi State NUJ Chairman Seidu Ademu Haruna hailed the government’s initiative in the health sector, particularly the HPV vaccination campaign, expressing the NUJ’s commitment to partnering with the WHO team to achieve their objectives in informing, educating, and sensitizing the public about the vaccine and ensuring that eligible girls receive it.