HPV Vaccine: A Shield Against Cervical Cancer
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a prevalent viral infection and has remained a public health concern. This virus not only causes cervical cancer but can also lead to genital warts, and cancers of the throat, anus, and genitals.
Cervical cancer is known to develop in the cervix and can easily be transmitted through intimate skin-to-skin contact, making it one of the most prevalent sexually transmitted infections globally. The virus can infect both men and women and often goes unnoticed since many infections are asymptomatic.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer among women globally, with an estimated 604,127 new cases and 341,831 deaths in 2020. In Nigeria, cervical cancer ranks as the 2nd most common cancer among women aged 15 to 44 years, as stated by the ICO/IARC Information Centre on HPV and Cancer. The 2023 estimates from the centre also indicated that 12,075 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer every year and more than half, about 7,968, die from the disease.
Prevention is key in saving lives from cervical cancer, and a powerful tool has been developed to fight against this menace: the HPV vaccine. This vaccine delivers solid protection against HPV by building immune system awareness of some HPV strains. The efficacy of HPV vaccination is evident, especially among women who received the vaccine before being exposed to the virus. Studies conducted in countries like Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, New Zealand, Sweden, United States have shown notable reductions of around 90% in HPV infections.
The HPV vaccine has been estimated to be effective in reducing the virus within the range of 83% to 96.1% after taking a single dose or more. Although the HPV vaccine is a remarkable tool for preventing different types of cancer caused by the human papillomavirus, it is not a substitute for regular screenings, such as Pap smears and HPV tests but complements them in reducing the risk of HPV-related cancer.
However, despite the vaccine’s clear benefits, there are still significant barriers to its widespread acceptance in Nigeria, just like in the case of other vaccines. Some caregivers, adolescents, and even healthcare workers are still hesitant to accept the vaccine. Various reasons like lack of awareness, misconception, misinformation, concerns for safety, cultural beliefs, and fear of side effects are major concerns that have been raised by different groups. But we need to ask ourselves, are we going to keep ignoring the health and cost benefits of this life-saving vaccine and risking it all? Are we going to keep believing all the myths and misconceptions as we did with the COVID-19 vaccine?
The good news is that the campaign for the rollout was launched within the period of October 24 –28, 2023 strictly for girls within the age group of 9 –14 years and afterwards will be available as routine immunization in all primary healthcare facilities for this population group. The vaccine availability will be in batches based on its phase I and phase II states distribution by the federal government. Therefore, parents and guardians are therefore encouraged to take their wards to any of the primary healthcare facilities for the uptake of this vaccine.
It’s a call to action for everyone—parents, teenagers, traditional and religious leaders, healthcare professionals, and policymakers—to prioritize HPV vaccination, by increasing awareness campaigns, removing barriers, and advocating for policies that support vaccination, we can protect ourselves, our loved ones, and future generations from the devastating effects of HPV-related diseases. Let’s work together to make cervical cancer a thing of the past and safeguard our health and the health of our future generation, schedule your child’s HPV vaccination today!
