Children’s Day: Aiyedatiwa Flags Off HPV Vaccine In Ondo

Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State on Monday flagged off the administration of Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine for girls between the ages of 9 and 14 years.

Aiyedatiwa, at the Children’s Day occasion and flagging off the administration of the vaccine, said preventing it was better and called it a gift on a children’s day to the girls’ child.

The theme for this year’s celebration is “Building a Brighter Future for Children“

Aiyedatiwa said he was deeply convinced that the theme must have been carefully chosen, bearing in mind that children are not just the future leaders, but architects of tomorrow’s World.

“It is, therefore, our collective responsibility to provide them with necessary tools, opportunities, support and guidance to flourish and succeed, considering the envisioned future for them.

This, therefore, brings to the fore the need for adequate protection for all children irrespective of their background, location, religious or ethnic affiliation so that the dream of a brighter future for them will not be an illusion,” he said.

The governor said anything malignant like the virus that affects the cervix is evil and should be dealt with at an early stage by taking the vaccine.

“This vaccine will prevent the cancer
of the cervix. HPV is a malignant tumour of the cervix, the lowermost part of the uterus.

“Anything malignant is something of evil, of death and can be a terrible thing, but today, we have chosen to flag off this vaccine on this special day they are celebrating Children’s Day and I pray that today, it will help prevent further occurrence,” he said.

Aiyedatiwa, who said the issue of healthcare for children and other residents of the state could not be overlooked, said his administration just recruited more health workers and more would be added soon.

“Closely related to this is the flag-off of the administration of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine that we all witnessed today. This vaccine, which has the female gender as its target is said to be very effective when administered to children between the ages of 9 and 14.

“Hence, our resolve to flag off its administration on this day that coincides with the celebration of the Children’s Day.

“This shows the kind of premium we place on our children’s healthcare as this will go a long way to prevent the incidence of cervical cancer among the female populace,” he added.

Also speaking, Commissioner for Health, Mr Banjo Ajaka, said the virus was the second highest killer virus of women after breast cancer in the country.

Ajaka said the programme, which was going in in the 21 states of the federation on Monday, urged parents to encourage their girls of ages 9-14 years to take the vaccine.

“The consequences of having cancer are family rejection, stigmatisation, financial burden which is very expensive to treat. We are giving the vaccine to girls between ages of 9-14.

“There are lots of conspiracy theories about the vaccine that it will be used to reduce the population of the world, it does not make sense and it is not true,” he said