LAGOS STATE GOVERNMENT REFUNDS 145 FORMER SUBSCRIBERS OF EGAN HOUSING ESTATE
admin The Oyo State government yesterday launched the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine into the Extended Programme on Immunization (EPI), targeting girls between ages 9 and 14 years.
Executive Secretary of the Oyo State Primary Healthcare Board, Dr. Muideen Olatunji, during a news conference, said the Board is targeting no fewer than 639,049 pupils which represents 7.71 per cent of the population.
Olatunji described cervical cancer as one of the most common forms of cancer that affects women, stressing that the disease must be tackled head-long.
According to him, the government has launched the programme at St. Paul Anglican Primary School, Yanbule, Bashorun, where over 300 pupils were vaccinated.
He urged parents and guardians to avail their daughters the opportunity to be vaccinated as a precaution against cervical cancer. Olatunji also encouraged sexually-exposed women to undergo regular cervical cancer screening (pap smear) as an avenue for prevention and early detection which aids treatment.
Olatunji also debunked insinuations that the vaccine was to cut population.
“It is pertinent to reiterate that the vaccine is not designed to reduce population. This is a demonstration of our continued partnership and, indeed, collective efforts to protect young girls against cervical cancer.
“Cervical cancer is a serious, and second most fatal cancer that affects women, especially of productive age. However, cervical cancer is preventable and can be controlled through routine HPV vaccine.
“We have trained and retrained those who will administer this vaccine, and there are supervisors who will regularly ensure safety measures to checkmate its administration,” he added.
On the method of administration, Olatunji said one dose of the vaccine will be administered on the left upper arm, and no serious reaction will follow.
