Nigeria has achieved a significant public health milestone, vaccinating a staggering seven million girls against cervical cancer in just two weeks. This critical effort represents a major breakthrough in protecting young women from this deadly disease.
The successful vaccination campaign is a result of collaboration between the Nigerian Ministry of Health, the Gavi Vaccine Alliance, UNICEF, and the World Health Organization (WHO). “This is a game-changer for girls’ health in Nigeria,” said Dr. Sania Nishtar, CEO of Gavi. “Vaccinating seven million girls in such a short timeframe is an impressive feat.”
The vaccine targets the human papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually transmitted infection that can lead to cervical cancer. Previously, cervical cancer was the second-leading cause of cancer deaths among women in Nigeria. In October 2023, the country began including the HPV vaccine in its routine immunization program for girls aged 9 to 14.
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