The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States estimate that the Human Papillomavirus, one of the most prevalent STDs, infected approximately 43 million people in 2018, many of whom were in their late teens and early 20s.
According to data from the World Health Organisation, HPV, the most prevalent virus that affects the reproductive system, is to blame for almost 95% of cases of cervical cancer. According to the data sheet, the majority of sexually active men and women would contract the infection at some point in their life, and some would contract it more than once.
Sub-Saharan Africa has the greatest rate of cervical HPV prevalence among women (24%), followed by Latin America and the Caribbean (16%), Eastern Europe (14%), and South-East Asia (14%).
Cervical cancer is the second most common cause of cancer-related deaths among women in Nigeria between the ages of 15 and 44, and it is also the third most common cancer overall. There were 8,000 cervical cancer-related fatalities and at least 12,000 new cases in 2020.
“Prevalence in men highly varies, based on sexual trends,” the WHO continued. Research revealed that the virus is more common in women living with HIV, men who sex with men, immune-compromised people, those who co-infect other STDs, those who take immunosuppressive drugs, and children who have experienced sexual abuse.
An estimated 625,600 women and 69,400 men worldwide are diagnosed with HPV-related cancer annually. With an anticipated 604,127 new cases and 341,831 fatalities globally in 2020, cervical cancer ranked as the fourth most common cause of cancer and cancer-related deaths among women. Ninety-three percent of women’s HPV-related malignancies are cervical cancers.
Nine out of ten instances of HPV are thought to resolve on their own without causing any health issues within two years. However, HPV can cause cancer and other health issues like genital warts if it does not go away. Usually, these genital warts manifest as a single, tiny bump or several small bumps in the vaginal region. They could have a cauliflower-like shape, be big or little, elevated or flat.
Using HPV vaccinations is the most efficient approach to prevent these health issues. In order to do this, the HPV vaccination was added to the regular immunisation schedule by the federal government on October 24. More than seven million girls are targeted by the immunisation, making it the most in the African region for a single round of HPV vaccination.
With assistance from Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the United Nations Children’s Fund, the World Health Organisation, and other partners, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare is offering the HPV vaccine at no cost through the National Primary Health Care Development Agency.
A single dosage of the vaccine, which is very effective in preventing infection with HPV strains 16 and 18, which are known to cause at least 70% of cervical malignancies, will be administered to girls between the ages of nine and fourteen. In 16 states and the Federal Capital Territory, a five-day mass immunisation campaign in schools and communities will be conducted during the initial deployment.
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Following this, the vaccination would be included to the regular immunisation schedules in medical facilities. In 21 states, the second phase of the immunisation introduction is slated to start in May 2024.
Reluctance to Vaccine
Regretfully, conspiracy theories against vaccination have surfaced despite efforts to dispel false information and stop the spread of HPV through vaccination.
In a video that went viral, the host of an Abuja family programme asserted that the HPV vaccine was bad for girls and that its main goal was to make fewer Nigerians.
Parents, politicians, and other individuals have made a number of other assertions suggesting that people should be cautious about vaccinations. The Covid-19 vaccine was one of the vaccines that Nigerians were reluctant to get.
Regarding concerns of adverse effects, the CDC fact sheet notes that while fainting, nausea, and headaches are among the mild side effects that HPV vaccines might cause, the agency also clarifies that the vaccine does not cause fertility issues, despite what some anti-vaxx groups claim.
“Yeah, we all have criticisms about the performance of the Nigerian government, but it doesn’t mean we shouldn’t recognise and appreciate their achievements when they occur. Worldwide access to HPV vaccinations has been limited, thus this government action is something that many nations will die for.
“How do vaccines function precisely? Vaccines cause the body to produce antibodies, which aid in the body’s defence against infections when the disease or organism actually manifests. Although you are theoretically free of the illness, you are nonetheless safeguarded from contracting it in the future.
Ajidahun clarified that while vaccines, like medications, can cause adverse effects in certain people, ranging from fever to discomfort in the body, this does not excuse people from being hesitant to get the HPV vaccine. He clarified that the HPV vaccination was not required for expectant mothers.
“Many of these political influencers are quoting over the Merck HPV scandal,” the speaker continued. There is no proof that women who receive the HPV vaccine would develop full-blown cancer or have their ovaries destroyed. A few errors in the article’s research. Although the litigation over the mentioned Gardasil are still pending and the drug is used in some countries, the proof is still weak. These are just ignorant lawyers for vaccines who will lose the lawsuit in the future.
“Please don’t deny this HPV vaccine to your kids. Because both sexes can spread the virus and develop the corresponding malignancies, this vaccination is safeguarding our young boys and girls against these diseases in the future.
Additionally, in an interview with Sunday PUNCH, clinical chemist Chiamaka Ebirim highlighted a 2021 US CDC HPV paper, pointing out that, in the absence of vaccination, 85% of sexually active individuals will acquire infected with HPV at some point in their lives.
“The significance of HPV vaccination cannot be overstated and should not be disregarded; rather, it should be acknowledged similar to other vaccinations like the polio vaccination,” Ebirim continued.
The majority of HPV infections resolve on their own. There are several strains of HPV, but persistent infections can lead to specific cancers in the cervix, vagina, and vulva in women; the penis in men; the anus in both sexes; and the oropharyngeal regions in both sexes.
“Other cancers caused by HPV may not be discovered until they are more serious, which is why vaccination is necessary. Only cervical cancer may be identified early with a screening test. Long-lasting, reliable, and safe protection against HPV is provided via vaccination. Furthermore, vaccination is necessary for young girls who may come into contact with the virus when they start having sex; this is especially important in light of the increased number of young girls reporting incidences of rape and sexual abuse. Early protection is also the most effective.
