Cervical cancer: Nigeria vaccinates 7m girls in two weeks

The Cervical cancer has disclosed that seven million girls in Nigeria were vaccinated against the human papillomavirus (HPV) in just two weeks under the second phase vaccination exercise, flagged off last month.

Responding to an inquiry by The Guardian, Gavi disclosed that the first phase, launched last October, saw 5.3 million girls in 15 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) vaccinated.

The organisation explained that with the HPV vaccine entering routine immunisation schedules in states across the federation, Nigeria hopes to immunise some 16 million girls by 2025.

Cervical cancer is the second most prevalent cancer among women in Nigeria, claiming several lives yearly.

Globally, the disease causes more than 342,000 deaths yearly, with 90 per cent of women dying in low- and middle-income countries.

In a statement yesterday, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Gavi, Dr. Sani Nishtar said the achievement marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s fight against cervical cancer, adding that by vaccinating 7 million girls in just two weeks, the most populous black nation has made significant progress towards its goal of reaching 16 million girls by 2025.

Nishtar observed that the feat is a testament to the tremendous collaboration between Gavi, the Nigerian government, and partners, stressing that by prioritising girls’ health, they are empowering a generation and saving countless lives.

According to him, the HPV vaccine offers a highly effective tool for prevention against cervical cancer, with an average success rate of 92 per cent.

He said: “The Gavi Vaccine Alliance and its partners, today, celebrate a major breakthrough in girls’ health in Nigeria. In just two weeks, an impressive seven million girls have been vaccinated against the human papillomavirus (HPV), a critical step in protecting them from cervical cancer later in life. In October 2023, Gavi partnered with the Nigerian Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, WHO, and UNICEF to introduce the HPV vaccine into the national immunisation programme. Building on this success, Gavi further expanded its collaboration with Girl Effect in May 2024 to focus on reaching girls with critical information and ensuring vaccine access.”

Nishtar observed that globally, cervical cancer is responsible for over 342,000 deaths annually, with a disproportionate impact on women in low- and middle-income countries. Ensuring broad access to the HPV vaccine is critical to reducing this devastating disease burden.

He acknowledged the broader implications of Nigeria’s success story and its potential to inspire other countries to prioritise HPV vaccination.

The HPV vaccine is a highly impactful, effective vaccine, with an average success of 92% in preventing cervical cancer, but its accessibility remains limited for millions worldwide.

According to the WHO, cervical cancer is the second most frequent cancer among women in Nigeria and the second most frequent cancer death among women between 15 and 44 years of age.

It kills some 22 women in Nigeria daily. In 2020, The Global Cancer Observatory estimated that over 12,000 cervical cancer cases are diagnosed yearly in Nigeria.

Introducing the HPV vaccine into the routine immunisation schedule is critical to preventing HPV infections, a primary cause of cervical cancer. By protecting adolescent girls, “we have the potential to reduce the incidence of this devastating disease significantly,” the global body added.