The Federal Government of Nigeria has decided to postpone the introduction of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, which was originally scheduled for September 25th, to a new date on October 24th.

The delay was announced by Dr. Faisal Shuaib, the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency.

The initial plan was to begin the HPV vaccination on September 25th, targeting girls aged nine to 15 in 16 states: Abia, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Enugu, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Jigawa, Kano, Kebbi, Lagos, Nasarawa, Ogun, Osun, and Taraba.

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Cervical cancer, a type of cancer that affects the cervix, is primarily caused by various strains of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), a sexually transmitted infection. The HPV vaccine has the potential to prevent over 90% of HPV-related cancers.

In Nigeria, an estimated 14,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer each year, and 7,968 women lose their lives to this disease annually.

Dr. Shuaib explained that the postponement of the HPV vaccine introduction aims to allow for increased awareness and demand for the vaccine in the target states.

Meanwhile, the Lagos State Government will announce a new date for the vaccine campaign, citing logistics reasons provided by the Federal Ministry of Health.