The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has reaffirmed the safety and effectiveness of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine for the prevention of cervical cancer among young girls of ages nine to 14 in Nigeria.
The UNICEF Social and Behaviour Change Specialist, Aderonke Akinola- Akinwole, told the two-day media dialogue on “Combating the most Preventable form of Deadly Cancer Affecting Women and Girls (HPV) through Vaccination” on Wednesday in Lagos that the rumours and misconceptions about severe side effects of vaccines resulting in chronic terminal diseases and infertility and ineffectiveness of the vaccines “are false”.
According to her, vaccines are introduced after several quality assurances from local agencies in charge of food and drugs in Nigeria.
“It is normal that the body may react on the receipt of vaccines and sometimes may not, but the reaction will wane within 48 hours,” she said.
She urged journalists, as the life wire of information dissemination, to provide correct, consistent and continuous information on the scourge of cervical cancer and the effectiveness of HPV vaccines.
According to local media reports on Thursday, Akinola-Akinwole also urged journalists to promote the use of HPV vaccines canvass through advocacy reporting and human centered storytelling.
“Journalists should provide platforms for technical experts to contribute to conversations around effectiveness of HPV vaccines for girls in Nigeria,” the reports quoted Akinola-Akinwole as saying.
GIK/APA
UNICEF official reaffirms safety of Human Papillomavirus vaccines
