The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) B-Zone South West has joined forces with the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) to advocate for the routine immunisation of the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine, specifically targeting girls aged 9-14 years.

An advocacy program, organised by the Oyo State Ministry of Information and Orientation, was held at the Conference hall of Rolak Hotels and Suites in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State.

The event brought together stakeholders and health experts to raise awareness about the importance of HPV vaccination and its impact on preventing cervical cancer

The resolution stated the need for increased media awareness and having a successful HPV vaccine immunization program as a protection against cervical cancer for the target beneficiaries in the South West, and the country at large.

The programme put in place by the Oyo state ministry of information and orientation in conjunction with UNICEF had representation of NAWOJ members from news mediums of the six Southwest states which include, Ekiti, Lagos, Ondo, Ogun, Osun, and Oyo state.

In his welcome remarks, the programme Director, Oyo state Ministry of Information and Orientation, Rotimi Babalola emphasised that the program is a call to media professionals to improve their knowledge on Human Papilloma Virus and its Vaccine, and to start awareness campaign, with a view to disseminate the accurate information on the virus and the vaccine.

Asserting that Cervical Cancer is a worrisome disease, he pointed at skin to skin contact as a mode of infection, stressing on the importance of the young girls getting vaccinated before they become actively involved in sexual activities.

Mr Babalola who opined that prevention of Cervical Cancer is cheaper than the cure, maintained that HPV vaccine is safe for collection, and he highlighted the vision of the ending of the virus by year 2030.

In his discuss, the Health Educator of Oyo State Primary Health Care Development Board, Mr Samuel Olarinde stated that the second phase of the routine vaccination meant to save the Girl-Child and Women from cervical cancer will hold in twenty one states, and kick off by May ending, adding that about sixteen states have benefited from the vaccine.

Mr Olarinde who highlighted that building the partnership with NAWOJ was to promote HPV as part of the routine immunisation services as survival strategy for the target beneficiary, and he added that the vaccine is available and accessible in Primary Healthcare Centres in states.

Noting that nearly eight thousand women die yearly from cervical cancer disease, he appealed to women beneficiaries under age 35- 45 year to ensure that they always go for cervical screening, which its result will reveal the status of their cervix, and needed medical attention in case of discovery of any abnormal growth.

The UNICEF Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist Mr Sola Olanipekun and Mrs Aderonke the Social and Behavioral Change specialist in their various interactions with the women journalists group urged the association to educate all about HPV vaccine, for the survival, productivity and development of the female gender.

The duo positively maintained that the vaccine is safe with no side effects, and assured all, that the collection of it will keep the girl child in age 9 and 14 years, free from cervical cancer, while they advised women in the target group of age 35 – 45 to always take a pap-smear screening test, to know their health status.