The Lagos State Primary Health Care Board (LSPHCD) says it will introduce the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine to prevent cervical cancer in girls from ages 9 to 14 on Sept. 25.

Clara Owojuyigbe, the director of health education and health promotion services of LSPHCD, made this known at a media parley in Lagos.

According to the United Nations Children Funds, cancer of the uterine cervix, commonly known as cervical cancer, is the fourth most common cancer among women globally and the second most common cancer among women in Nigeria.

Ms Owojuyigbe said the development was to prevent the growing cases of cervical cancer in the country.

She urged parents to use the opportunity to ensure that their girl child between the ages of 9 and 14 is available for the vaccination in order to prevent them from getting cervical cancer in the future.

According to her, the immunity of the vaccine, which she called Gardasil, does not wear out over time, only one dose confers a lifetime.

“I am appealing to parents, religious leaders, and community leaders to bring their children for HPV vaccination from Sept. 25 to Sept. 30.

“The vaccine is expensive but the government is making it available for pre-teen girls for free,” she said.

The first phase of the vaccination for pre-teen girls will be carried out in 15 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

The states are; Lagos, Nassarawa, Kano, Jigawa, Enugu, Abia, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, Benue, Bauchi, Taraba, Adamawa, Kebbi, Osun and Ogun.

(NAN)