A clinical virologist, Dr Adeola Fowotade, has said that it is a common misconception that abstinence from s3x is enough to protect individuals from developing cervical cancer from contracting the human papillomavirus virus (HPV).
Dr Fowotade, who spoke at the scientific conference 2024 of the Annual General Meeting of the Nigerian Medical Association, Oyo State branch, in Ibadan during the week with the theme “Vaccines: The Facts and the Myths,” said the route of transmission for HPV is not only through s3x.
She asserted that the idea that abstaining from s3xual activity is more important for preventing HPV than getting vaccinated is incorrect. “Our current understanding is that HPV is primarily transmitted through s3xual contact, however, it is important to note that HPV is a widely prevalent virus that can even be transmitted through non-s3xual contact, such as touching surfaces.
“It’s something that can be transmitted from a mother to her child. Simply telling the child not to have s3x is not sufficient to protect them from contracting this virus. The best way to protect them is by vaccinating them.”
Dr Fowotade stated that the human papillomavirus vaccination is meant to prevent infection by the virus, while screening is looking at the cervix to see whether there are psychological changes induced by the presence of the virus. These are different levels of prevention.
She, however, listed 13 other misconceptions about HPV vaccination among health care providers, including some of them also saying, “It causes serious side effects.” “It can lead to infertility,” “Abstinence from sex can solve the problem,” “Why do we need the vaccine when we have the screening method?” and “It promotes s3xual promiscuity.”
“The HPV vaccine is not new. It has been in existence for more than seven years, but it only arrived in Nigeria last year. Countries like Uganda have success stories of people who have been vaccinated with the human papillomavirus vaccine and have gone on to have children even many years after.
“Some said that the vaccine covers about two of the high-risk HPV types. But we have vaccines now that cover four genotypes of HPV. We have another that covers nine genotypes of HPV. But the main genotypes that we are worried about are the HPV 16 and HPV 18, because they account for 70% of the cases of cervical cancer that are being reported.”
The Dean-Elect, Faculty of Public Health, University of Ibadan, Professor Magbagbeola Dairo, declared that health workers play a prominent role in vaccine hesitancy, adding that it is a tragedy and irony when doctors don’t believe in vaccines.
He stated that vaccines are safe, effective, and have reduced the morbidity and mortality of common infectious diseases in Nigeria. He urged Nigerians to take advantage of available vaccines, especially the HPV vaccine for girls.
Professor Dairo declared that vaccination of children under two years in Nigeria is mandatory, and parents who fail to do so are liable to pay a fine or imprisonment under the Child Rights Act in Nigeria, including Oyo State.
He advocated a vaccination policy for access to government-provided benefits like driver’s licences and admission to higher institutions.
Also, the Oyo State NMA Acting Chairman, Dr Happy Adedapo, showed concerns over the number of health practitioners resisting the use of vaccines despite being aware that the vaccines have saved lives in the past.
“It’s worrisome that even health workers are now joining the bandwagon of people who have misconceptions about vaccines; that’s what informed the choice of our theme. We need to educate ourselves and give out the appropriate information for society.
“Vaccines are safe. We want people to embrace vaccination. People should put their trust in the science behind vaccination. With the advent of science, there is evidence that vaccines are good for health.
“The side effects that people complain about are not caused by the vaccines themselves. They are a result of the body adjusting to a foreign substance that has been introduced. When you receive the vaccine, it stimulates the body to build immunity and fight off the specific organisms that the vaccine is targeting,” Dr Adedapo explained.
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