The Ondo state government has included the human papilloma virus, HPV vaccine Into its routine immunisation as a way of sustaining the ninety-four percent coverage recorded in the recently concluded HPV Vaccination in the state.
The commissioner for health, Dr Banji Ajaka announced this in Akure at the debriefing of Technical Working Group on Human Pappiloma Virus Vaccine introduction (HPVVI) in Ondo state.
The vaccination against the human papilloma virus was held for girls of 9-14yrs in Ondo state in May this year In a bid to prevent the deadly cervical cancer among girls and the exercise recorded ninety four percent coverage.
This achievement, according to the commissioner for health, Dr Banji Ajaka is overwhelming, saying government is making efforts to sustain the feat through routinasation of the HPV vaccine on the state’s immunisation chat.
The Permanent Secretary, Ondo state primary healthcare development agency, Dr Francis Akanbiemu appealed to mothers whose girls within the age bracket of 9-14yrs were yet to get vaccinated to take the advantage as it would be available for only girls of 9yrs old from January 2025.
Dr Akanbiemu who stressed that the vaccine was being administered on girls at no cost in government hospitals appreciated all development partners, religious leaders, women groups, healthworkers and mothers in the state for their co-operation during the exercise.
The director, Disease Control and immunisation in the agency, Dr Victor Adefesoye also thanked all stakeholders for their support which led to the feat urging them not to relent.
One of the development partners, represented by the Senior Programme manager, Kosi Izundu said the NGO was impressed with the achievement recorded by Ondo state government in the HPV Vaccination coverage, hence the support.
Ondo state immunisation officer, Mrs Comfort Olagundoye explained that 321, 008 girls within 9-14yrs were vaccinated in the state against cervical cancer stressing that the HPV vaccine was safe for girls.
Goodwill messages from the National Primary healthcre development agency and the world health organisation applauded Ondo state for achieving 94% coverage for the HPV Vaccination.
