The Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria has urged parents to allow their teenage daughters to receive vaccines that prevent cervical cancer. According to Pharmacist Adebayo Gbadamosi, Chairman of the ACPN in Oyo State, this measure is crucial in preventing the disease among women in their later years. Gbadamosi made this statement during the launch of a pharmacy-based immunization delivery program organized by the Oyo State Primary Healthcare Board in collaboration with the ACPN and Population Services International Nigeria.
The event, which aimed to expand immunization reach in the state, was attended by key stakeholders in the healthcare sector, including Dr. Muideen Olatunji, Executive Secretary of the Oyo State Primary Healthcare Board, and Dr. Adebayo Adebisi, Nigeria Country Manager of the program. Gbadamosi emphasized that many women develop cervical cancer in their later years, often during their reproductive age, and that vaccination can prevent this. He recommended that teenagers, particularly girls, receive vaccines from the age of 13 to prevent cervical cancer and other chronic diseases in the future.
Gbadamosi stressed that vaccination is a safe and effective way to prevent mortality and prolong life. He also highlighted the importance of preventive healthcare, stating that equipping children with vaccines before they become sexually active can significantly reduce the incidence of cervical cancer among women. The pharmacy-based immunization delivery program aims to bring immunization services closer to the people by involving pharmacists across Oyo State. This initiative is expected to increase access to immunization, particularly for the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, which is essential for preventing cervical cancer.
The Oyo State Primary Healthcare Board’s initiative is part of a broader effort to improve healthcare outcomes in the state. By expanding immunization services and increasing access to vaccines, the program aims to reduce the burden of cervical cancer and other preventable diseases. As the program rolls out, it is expected to have a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of women and girls in Oyo State, and potentially serve as a model for other regions.
