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(Participants at the media workshop organised by John Snow Incorporated, JSI in partnership with Kwara State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, ahead of the Flag Off of HPV Vaccination in Kwara State.)
The Kwara State Government will on Monday, May 27, 2024 begin vaccination of over three hundred girls between the ages of nine and fourteen against the Human Papilloma Virus, HPV.
This was announced by a Director at the Kwara State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, KWPHDA Dr Michael Oguntoye at a workshop for journalists on the need for effective sensitization of stakeholders about the efficacy of the HPV vaccine against cervical cancer and safe motherhood.
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 which would last for five days, would later on 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 campaign to combat information disorder about the vaccine.
JSI’s Media Consultant, Mary Oluwashola-Okpodu said aside girls in schools, the out-of-school girls would also benefit from the programme through collaboration with community leaders.
Story by Rasheedat Iliyas
