“The vaccine is intended to reduce Nigeria’s population. So I was told by my neighbour,” said Mrs Ireti Adekola. “Do not allow them to give your daughter the vaccine in school,” her neighbour added.
The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), is a safe and highly effective public health measure designed primarily to prevent cervical cancer and other diseases caused by HPV. It works by stimulating the immune system to produce antibodies against specific types of the virus, thereby helping to prevent cervical cancer, other HPV-related cancers and genital warts.
Introduced in Nigeria in October 2023, with the goal of vaccinating more than 16 million girls through mass campaigns in schools, communities and public places, the HPV vaccine has been confronted by widespread myths and misconceptions. These have prevented some parents from allowing their daughters to receive the vaccine, potentially leaving them vulnerable to cervical cancer later in life.
While young adolescent girls aged 9–14 are the primary target group for HPV vaccination in most countries, WHO recommends a one- or two-dose schedule for girls aged 9–14; a one- or two-dose schedule for girls and women aged 15–20; two doses, with a six-month interval, for women older than 21; and at least two doses, and where possible three doses, for immunocompromised individuals, including those living with HIV.
Myths about HPV vaccine
Another mother, Mrs Berky Kanu, opened up about other forms of misinformation she had been exposed to, which influenced her decision not to give consent for her two daughters to receive the vaccine.
“I have heard several times that giving the vaccine to young girls will encourage promiscuity or early sexual activity; that a girl who is morally upright or not sexually active does not need the vaccine; that the HPV vaccine is unnecessary because the girls are too young; and that the HPV vaccine causes infertility or sterility,” she said.
“Although health workers and government officials tell us that these are not true, who do we believe in this situation?” she asked. “This is the main reason I prevented my children from accepting the injection.”
Cervical cancer mortality in Nigeria
In Nigeria, cervical cancer is ranked among the leading cancers affecting women. According to data from the International Agency for Research on Cancer’s GLOBOCAN estimates, cervical cancer remains a significant public health concern in the country.
However, cervical cancer is largely preventable through HPV vaccination, screening and timely treatment of precancerous lesions. Interestingly, the GLOBOCAN data from 2020 to 2024 indicate a consistent decline in estimated cervical cancer mortality in Nigeria. This highlights the possibility of preventing further deaths through improved vaccination, screening, early detection and treatment. From 7,968 deaths in 2020 to 7,093 in 2022, and now 6000 deaths in 2024, which is the latest statistics. The figures underscore the need for sustained interventions to prevent more Nigerian women from dying from a largely preventable disease.
“The loss of about 6,000 Nigerian women yearly from a disease that is preventable is completely unacceptable,” says Muhammad Ali Pate, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, at one of the vaccination campaigns.
“Cervical cancer is mostly caused by HPV, and parents can avoid physical and financial pain by protecting their children with a single dose of the vaccine,” he added.
Dispelling myths and misinformation on HPV vaccination
Contrary to the numerous myths about HPV vaccination propagated by anti-vaccine groups, medical experts have described the claims as misinformation, stressing that the vaccine is an important measure for protecting Nigerian girls against cervical cancer later in life.
As part of efforts to convince mothers of the importance of HPV vaccination and why parents should grant consent for their daughters to receive the vaccine, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate, disclosed publicly that he had consented to his four daughters receiving the vaccine to protect them against cervical cancer in the future.
“As a parent myself, I have four daughters; all of them have had the same HPV vaccine to protect them against cervical cancer. I’d like to implore fellow parents to dutifully ensure that this generation of our girls disrupts the preventable loss of lives to cervical cancer, in addition to other untold hardship, loss and pain,” he pleaded.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with Dr Kehinde Ososanya, a public health physician with the Lagos State Primary Healthcare Board, on how to mitigate misinformation about HPV vaccination in local communities, he noted that maternal health is of utmost importance to the nation because a healthy woman helps to raise a healthy family and build a healthy community.
“That is why the Primary Healthcare Board is very particular about maternal health,” he said, adding that the board places emphasis on preventive measures to prevent diseases that could cut short the lives of mothers and infants.
The public health physician, who acknowledged the existence of myths about HPV vaccination in communities, said awareness campaigns through health education were necessary to counter the misleading information surrounding the vaccine.
While HPV vaccination has been introduced into the routine immunisation programme in the country, he said some parents were still hesitant to bring their daughters for vaccination.
To address the misinformation, he said the Primary Healthcare Board had deployed health officers to educate parents and community members on the importance of HPV vaccination and other healthcare programmes available at primary healthcare centres.
“This is all about creating awareness; it’s all about health education, and it’s all about mingling with our people at the community level so that they understand, in local terms, the importance of primary healthcare, the importance of coming to vaccinate their children or bringing their children for vaccination.
“The importance of coming to the clinics for family planning, the importance of food demonstration, in addition to routine immunisation, and ensuring that you have proper care, you know, amongst other things.
“We have people who are specialised in ensuring that they go into the communities to educate our people. We have community health officers and workers who also do not stay in the health facility, but are found within the communities, ensuring that people are well informed about healthcare and the steps they can take in ensuring that they have good health and good access to quality healthcare,” he explained.
Ososanya, who is the deputy director/service delivery programme manager at the Primary Healthcare Board, further disclosed that HPV vaccines are available free of charge at healthcare facilities across Lagos State for girls aged 9–14, urging mothers to disregard the myths and take their daughters for the vaccination.
He also highlighted other programmes offered at primary healthcare centres, including family planning, food demonstration and routine immunisation.
Initially, he disclosed, the grassroots medical team visited schools, communities and other public places to sensitise the populace about the importance of the vaccine. Beyond this, he said, the team had trained community leaders to serve as local mobilisers, educating residents about activities at primary healthcare centres and encouraging them to maximise the available programmes for healthier lifestyles.
To rid the nation of cervical cancer, he urged mothers, parents and guardians to take their girls for HPV vaccination before it becomes too late. “This is an opportunity to inform our mothers, parents and guardians to permit and ensure that they bring their girls between the ages of 9 and 14 to get the HPV vaccine, which they will get at the primary healthcare centre free of charge, because prevention is better than cure,” he said.
