BY PRINCE EJAKPOMEVI
The Delta State Primary Health Care Development Agency (DSPHCDA), in collaboration with Girl Effect Nigeria and other development partners, has convened a Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) Vaccine operational technical working group meeting aimed at enhancing vaccine coverage in the state.
The meeting also offered an opportunity for stakeholders to share their best ideas and develop strategies to boost vaccine uptake across the state.
During the meeting, Director of Disease Control and Immunisation (DSPHCDA), Dr Matthew Anibor, revealed that “as at 2025, only 50,101 out of the 99,132 targeted nine-year-old girls were vaccinated, representing 51 per cent coverage and leaving 49 per cent still at risk of HPV.”
Matthew also identified myths, misconceptions, and a lack of awareness as major factors behind the low uptake of the HPV vaccine. He explained that many parents are still influenced by false beliefs and misinformation surrounding the vaccine.
Likewise, Amb Caroline Usikpedo, representing Girl Effect Nigeria, highlighted the need for sustained HPV vaccination and nutrition services, emphasising stronger government commitment, community leadership, and increased domestic funding.
Usikpedo stressed the importance of continuous demand creation, particularly in schools, as well as institutionalised monitoring and evaluation systems. She further underscored the need to transition from donor-supported projects to government-led systems to reduce reliance on external funding and ensure long-term impact and sustainability.
In his remarks, the Executive Director, Delta State Primary Health Care Development Agency (DSPHCDA), Dr Paul Yinkore, urged stakeholders to intensify awareness in rural areas, emphasising the need to ensure that nine-year-old girls are brought forward for vaccination.
He said, “We must reach every community and make certain that every eligible girl is allowed to be vaccinated.”
Dr Idaboh Oghenetega, representing the Paediatric Association of Nigeria, emphasised the importance of public enlightenment, highlighting the role of healthcare workers in shaping vaccine acceptance. She said that “some healthcare workers unknowingly promote vaccine hesitancy, causing delays or refusal of vaccines, so the best approach is to address hesitancy with accurate information,” she explained.
According to her, “Hesitancy does not necessarily mean a person refuses the vaccine, but often reflects gaps or weaknesses in how we communicate.
We need to ask ourselves, what exactly are we communicating? It is through clear and consistent messaging that we can reach these mothers and encourage uptake.”
The meeting ended on a collaborative note, with stakeholders contributing a range of ideas and strategies aimed at improving HPV vaccine uptake across the state.
