Cross River Govt. Introduces Human Papilloma Virus Vaccine against Cervical Cancer

By Ene Ene, Calabar

The Cross River State Government through the State Primary Health Care Development Agency (CRSPHCDA), in collaboration with the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) and Development Partners have concluded Plans to fully introduce the Human Papilloma Virus Vaccine (HPVV) against Cervical Cancer into the routine Immunization Programme in the State .

The Director General, Cross River State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Vivien Mesembe Otu made this known while speaking with newsmen in Calabar.

Otu said that the introduction of the Vaccine is to reduce the burdens of Cervical Cancer, which is the second most common cancer amongst women in Nigeria.

She said the introduction shall be heralded by a 5-Day Multi-Age Cohort Campaign, after which the Vaccines would be made available in all Health Facilities across the State as part of routine immunization which is targeted at Adolescent Girls of between 9-14 years.

The state government however, advised Parents and Guardians of the Girl Child and Wards in this Age bracket to present themselves for vaccination.

The Director, Otu noted further that the vaccination will take place in Fixed Health Centres, strategic locations like Markets, Churches, Mosques, Orphanage Homes and in Primary and Secondary Schools as Health Workers have been mandated to visit those locations for the exercise.