NOA & UNICEF CHAMPION CAMPAIGN ON ADMINISTRATION OF HPV IN IMO

REPORTER: CHINAZO ILECHUKWU

Parents and caregivers in Imo State have been urged to encourage the girl child to receive the human papillomavirus vaccine (HPV) being administered in the area to check the spread of cervical cancer.

The Director National Orientation Agency (NOA) in Imo State, Mrs. Maureen Oparaji, made the call at a review and media sensitization meeting held in Owerri with stakeholders in the campaign and administration of the vaccine.

NOA in conjunction with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is collaborating with health educators, Information and immunization officers in the 27 local government areas of the state in sensitizing schools and churches to the need to embrace the vaccine.

Already the administration of the human papillomavirus vaccine has commenced in Imo State to ensure that girls within 9–14yrs are protected from cervical cancer.
                                            The NOA State Director explained that the meeting was to equip frontline officers with relevant information to ensure the success of the campaign.

She expressed as false the rumour making the rounds in the state that the vaccine was a ploy to cause infertility thereby reducing human population.

Mrs. Oparaji explained that the HPV vaccine was safe and effective in preventing cervical cancer and urged Community Orientation and Mobilization Officers, state educators and immunization officers not to relent in the efforts to protect the girl child.

A representative of UNICEF, Dr. Chinomso Dozie, described cervical cancer as a global health challenge but explained that the HPV vaccine was most effective in females who are not yet sexually active, hence the choice of girls who are between 9–14years.

Another UNICEF representative, Mrs. Ngozi Dike, and the Imo State Health Educator, Mrs. Chinwe Abanobi, said the vaccine had no serious side effects as speculated and appealed to the religious leaders and heads of schools to disabuse their minds of the falsehood.

Some of the participants who spoke at the event promised to intensify efforts despite resistance they are getting from some opinion leaders, especially in the religious circle, who condemn the vaccine.

290 schools, including churches are targeted for the campaign and vaccination to complement those to be administered at health facilities.

CHINAZO ILECHUKWU