The Ogun State Government has made a heartfelt plea to parents and guardians to safeguard their daughters from the scourge of cervical cancer by ensuring they receive the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. This appeal comes as the Ogun State Government embarks on a statewide HPV vaccination campaign on Tuesday.
In anticipation of the vaccination exercise, Dr. Tomi Coker, the Commissioner for Health, addressed journalists and emphasized the importance of dispelling the unfounded rumor that the HPV vaccine could cause infertility in girls. Dr. Coker stressed that the primary objective of the vaccine is to protect young girls against cervical cancer, which is the only cancer currently preventable through vaccination.
Dr. Coker disclosed that the HPV vaccine is specifically targeted at girls aged between nine and 14. She passionately urged parents to prioritize their daughters’ well-being by making them available for vaccination, stating, “Our HPV vaccination campaign will kick off on the 24th of October. This campaign is aimed at vaccinating our daughters aged between nine and 14. It is vital to protect them from the Human Papillomavirus, which is responsible for 95 percent of cervical cancer cases.”
She further added, “Cervical cancer is the only cancer for which a vaccine is available. It would be a tragedy if, in the future, any of our daughters were to suffer from this cancer simply because we, as parents, chose not to safeguard them.”
Speaking from personal experience, Dr. Coker shared, “As a parent myself, I have a daughter who received the vaccine at the age of 12. She is now 26 and doing well.”
Addressing the concerning misinformation circulating through viral videos, Dr. Coker appealed to parents, urging them to disregard these misleading claims. She emphatically stated, “The HPV vaccine does not cause sterilization or infertility in our children. On the contrary, it provides protection and safeguards them against the life-threatening risks associated with cervical cancer.”
As the statewide HPV vaccination campaign commences, let us come together as a community to prioritize the health and future of our daughters. By making an informed decision to protect them from cervical cancer, we can contribute to a brighter and healthier tomorrow.