…It kills some 22 women in Nigeria daily. In 2020, The Global Cancer Observatory estimated that over 12,000 cervical cancer cases are diagnosed annually in Nigeria.
WED JUNE 19 2024-theGBJournal| Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and its partners today celebrate a major breakthrough in girls’ health in Nigeria.
In just two weeks, an impressive 7 million girls have been vaccinated against the human papillomavirus (HPV), a critical step in protecting them from cervical cancer later in life.
This achievement marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s fight against cervical cancer. In October 2023, Gavi partnered with the Nigerian Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, WHO, and UNICEF to introduce the HPV vaccine into the national immunization program.
Building on this success, Gavi further expanded its collaboration with Girl Effect in May 2024 to focus on reaching girls with critical information and ensuring vaccine access.
Cervical cancer is the second most prevalent cancer among women in Nigeria, claiming countless lives each year. The HPV vaccine offers a highly effective tool for prevention, with an average success rate of 92%. By vaccinating 7 million girls in just two weeks, Nigeria has made significant progress towards its goal of reaching 16 million girls by 2025.
Dr. Sani Nishtar, CEO of Gavi, stated: “This achievement is a testament to the tremendous collaboration between Gavi, the Nigerian government, and our partners. By prioritising girls’ health, we are empowering a generation and helping to save countless lives.”
Globally, cervical cancer causes more than 342,000 deaths annually, with 90% of women dying in low- and middle-income countries. The HPV vaccine is a highly impactful, effective vaccine, with an average success of 92% in preventing cervical cancer, but its accessibility remains limited for millions worldwide.
According to the WHO, cervical cancer is the 2nd most frequent cancer among women in Nigeria and the 2nd most frequent cancer death among women between 15 and 44 years of age.
It kills some 22 women in Nigeria daily. In 2020, The Global Cancer Observatory estimated that over 12,000 cervical cancer cases are diagnosed annually in Nigeria.
Introducing the HPV vaccine into the routine immunisation schedule is critical to preventing HPV infections, a primary cause of cervical cancer.
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