Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and its partners today celebrate a major breakthrough in girls’ health in Nigeria. In just two weeks, an impressive 7 million girls have been vaccinated against the human papillomavirus (HPV), a critical step in protecting them from cervical cancer later in life.
Gavi’s commitment to girls’ health
This achievement marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s fight against cervical cancer. In October 2023, Gavi partnered with the Nigerian Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, WHO, and UNICEF to introduce the HPV vaccine into the national immunization programme. Building on this success, Gavi further expanded its collaboration with Girl Effect in May 2024 to focus on reaching girls with critical information and ensuring vaccine access.
Protecting a generation from cervical cancer
Cervical cancer is the second most prevalent cancer among women in Nigeria, claiming countless lives each year. The HPV vaccine offers a highly effective tool for prevention, with an average success rate of 92%. By vaccinating 7 million girls in just two weeks, Nigeria has made significant progress towards its goal of reaching 16 million girls by 2025.
Dr. Sani Nishtar, CEO of Gavi, stated: “This achievement is a testament to the tremendous collaboration between Gavi, the Nigerian government, and our partners. By prioritising girls’ health, we are empowering a generation and helping to save countless lives.”
Global impact
Globally, cervical cancer is responsible for over 342,000 deaths annually, with a disproportionate impact on women in low- and middle-income countries. Ensuring broad access to the HPV vaccine is critical to reducing this devastating disease burden.
Key topics that can be covered:
- Global impact: The broader implications of Nigeria’s success story and its potential to inspire other countries to prioritise HPV vaccination.
- Human interest interviews: Interview young girls who received the vaccine and their families to understand the impact on their lives and hopes for the future.
- Overcoming challenges: The logistical and social challenges of vaccinating such a large number of girls in a short period and how they were overcome.
- Gavi’s role: Interview Gavi representatives to understand the organisation’s work in promoting HPV vaccination globally and the specific strategies employed in Nigeria.
- Public-Private Partnerships in Vaccine Outreach: Use this example to explore the effectiveness of public-private partnerships in tackling global health challenges.
