Over 288,000 girls in Kogi State are set to benefit from the Human Papillomavirus vaccine against cervical cancer, courtesy of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency and John Snow Incorporated.
The vaccination campaign, scheduled to commence on May 27, targets girls between the ages of nine and 14, who are most vulnerable to cervical cancer.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, Technical Assistant on HPV Introduction,
Mr. Mohammed Bala the week-long program aims to protect young girls from this deadly disease, which can take up to 10 years to manifest and can be fatal if not detected early.
Bala emphasized the importance of early protection, stating that the Federal Government and concerned partners are committed to ensuring that young girls are safeguarded against cervical cancer.
He explained that “this is why the Federal Government and concerned partners are out to ensure that innocent young girls are protected at early age against the disease.
“As we commence the immunisation exercise in Kogi on Monday, May 27, we hope to go round the 21 local government areas with the HPV vaccine for the targeted girls.”
