The World Health Organisation (WHO) has recommended routine Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination be included in immunisation programmes.
Dr Uzoma Ugochukwu, a Public Health Specialist, unveiled the recommendation on Sunday
Ugochukwu, who is also a consultant for the vaccine uptake project, said in Abuja, during a seminar for health journalists on its “Enhancing HPV Vaccine Awareness and Uptake in Nigeria”.
According to him, for the prevention of cervical cancer, WHO- recommended primary target population for HPV vaccination is girls aged nine years to 14 years, prior to becoming sexually active.
“The initial vaccination of multiple cohort of girls age nine years to 14 years is recommended.
“Vaccination targeting multiple age cohorts of girls aged between nine years and 18 years together at time of HPV vaccine introduction will result in faster and greater population impact than vaccination of single age cohorts.
“This is due to the estimated increase in direct protection and herd immunity,” he said.
He said that HPV types 16 and 18 caused about 70 per cent of cervical cancers,.
“HPV types 6 and 11 causes about 90 per cent of anogenital warts, 528,000 cases of cervical cancer and 266,000 women deaths each year,” he said.
He said that 85 per cent of cases were in less developed regions.
The consultant said that three prophylactic, highly efficacious vaccines were available.
“They are Bivalent vaccine (Non-infectious proten antigens or HPV), Qudanivalent vaccine (Non-infectious proten antigens for HPV) and Nonavalent vaccine (Non-infectious proten antigers for HPV).
“Non of the vaccines will treat women with current HPV infection or related disease: HPV vaccines are most efficacious ,” he said.
Ugochukwu said that the current evidence supported the recommendation for a 2- dose schedule with adequate spacing between the first and second doses of vaccines.
He said that WHO recognised the importance of cervical cancer and other HPV-related diseases as global health problems.
He urged the media to play more active roles in correcting misconceptions.
“The media is key to addressing myths and misconceptions about the vaccine.
“We have had a few incidences of misconceptions, myths, and lack of understanding as regards the vaccine,” Ugochukwu said.
