LAGOS, Nigeria(VOICE OF NAIJA)- The Jigawa State Government has issued a definitive assurance to parents regarding the safety and efficacy of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine as it intensifies efforts to curb cervical cancer.
Speaking in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Dutse on Sunday, February 8, the Executive Secretary of the Jigawa State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (JSPHCDA), Dr Shehu Sambo, emphasized that the vaccine is a “harmless and protective” tool essential for improving long-term maternal health outcomes in the state.
This renewed commitment to immunization follows the integration of the HPV vaccine into the state’s routine schedule, specifically targeting girls aged 9 to 14. Dr. Sambo noted that cervical cancer remains a silent killer among women, often because cases are presented too late for effective treatment.
“If we are able to protect our girls, then we will improve the survival of our women in the state,” he explained, adding that the government is facilitating the vaccine’s rollout across all local government areas to ensure every eligible child is reached.
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Transitioning from policy to practice, the agency has launched aggressive awareness campaigns to dismantle deep-seated myths and address vaccine hesitancy. These outreach programs are designed to educate parents that the vaccine is a globally recognized standard of care used to prevent several high-risk cancers.
Sambo reiterated his confidence in the system, assuring caregivers that “this vaccine is very safe and is being used worldwide.”
Recent collaborations with international partners, including a visit from the IMPROVE-HPV Project Team from the University of Ibadan earlier this month, further underscore the state’s data-driven approach to health. These engagements aim to evaluate vaccine effectiveness and refine communication strategies to ensure cultural sensitivity and community trust.
Notably, the success of this preventive oncology initiative now rests on the active participation of local communities to ensure that cervical cancer is eliminated for the next generation of Jigawa women.
