By Oboh Linus
The Community Link for Health and Family Health Advocacy (CLHFPA) has decried low rate of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination in Nasarawa State.
Mrs Mary Ashenanye, CLHFPA Chairperson said this while speaking at the One Day media training on HPV Vaccination organised in partnership with Pathfinder International for journalists on Friday in Lafia.
According to Ashenanye, research has shown that HPV is responsible for cervical cancer, the second-highest form of cancer that affects women.
She said that the HPV vaccination campaign had suffered a significant setback last year due to the myths and misconceptions about the vaccine.
She said that the study has shown that the HPV vaccine has proven to be effective and posed no threat to the reproductive health of women and girls.
“Human Papillomavirus is a type of virus that affects women, it affects the cervical area of the female organ, and it causes cervical cancer. And this is very dangerous.
“The vaccines are available for teenagers and adults at Private clinics. But for now, the vaccines which the government has provided are mainly for our girls at age 9,” she said.
Ashenanye, while calling on journalists to amplify the campaign to accept the vaccine to save the girl child from cervical cancer, enjoined parents to make available their girl child at age 9 to be vaccinated.
Presenting, HPV Vaccination and update in Nasarawa State, Ishaya Amegwa, State Health Educator, expressed displeasure over the low rate of vaccination.
He said during the year under review, only 2,158 persons were vaccinated across the state with Lafia the state capital emerging as the least vaccinated LGA with 33 persons.
He called on parents to disregard misconceptions about the vaccine, noting that the vaccine is effective and safe and does not affect the reproductive health of women.
Amegwa,, therefore advised parents and guardians to redouble efforts in accessing vaccination at all government healthcare centres.
“Is alarming that research has shown that about 80 percent of cases of cervical cancer present in advance diseases because many people did not have the disease until the advanced stage.
“About 80 percent will die when clinical diseases are discovered the in advanced stage, this is how serious it is. It is better to prevent it.
“HPV vaccine introduction targets 9 to 14 years old female children, it will avert 71 deaths annually if we are able to reach our coverage. That is the justification for this vaccine,” he said.
In a paper presentation entitled “Roles of Journalists and Issue-based Reporting On HPV”, a veteran journalist, Shimataver Aondoakaa, tasked media professionals to promote ideas that would change the society’s negative attitude toward HPV vaccination in the state
(NAN)
