Uzoma Ugochukwu, a public health specialist, says the World Health Organisation has recommended that routine human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination be included in immunisation programmes.

Mr Ugochukwu said this on Saturday in Abuja during a seminar for health journalists on ‘Enhancing HPV Vaccine Awareness and Uptake in Nigeria’.

According to him, for the prevention of cervical cancer, the WHO- recommended primary target population for HPV vaccination is girls aged nine years to 14 years before becoming sexually active.

He said HPV types 16 and 18 caused about 70 per cent of cervical cancers.

“HPV types 6 and 11 causes about 90 per cent of anogenital warts, 528,000 cases of cervical cancer and 266,000 women deaths each year,” he said.

He added that 85 per cent of cases were in less developed regions. Mr Ugochukwu said three prophylactic, highly efficacious vaccines were available.

“They are bivalent vaccine (non-infectious protein antigens or HPV), quadrivalent vaccine (non-infectious protein antigens for HPV) and nonavalent vaccine (non-infectious protein antigens for HPV).

“None of the vaccines will treat women with current HPV infection or related disease: HPV vaccines are most efficacious,” he said.

Mr Ugochukwu also mentioned that the current evidence supported the recommendation for a two-dose schedule with adequate spacing between the first and second doses of vaccines.

He stated that the WHO recognised the importance of cervical cancer and other HPV-related diseases as global health problems. He urged the media to play more active roles in correcting misconceptions.

“The media is key to addressing myths and misconceptions about the vaccine. We have had a few incidences of misconceptions, myths, and lack of understanding as regards the vaccine,” Mr Ugochukwu said.

(NAN)