The South East Nigeria office of the World Health Organisation (WHO) has debunked a rumour that the recent introduction of the human papilloma virus vaccine (HPV) in Anambra State is a plan to kill and reduce the number of women in the state and the region as a whole.
The South East Coordinator of WHO, Dr Chukwumunya Igboekwu, who briefed journalists in Awka on Wednesday, appealed to the public to disregard the information, describing it as fake.
The Nigerian Tribune gathered that Dr. Igboekwu was reacting following a video circulating online, warning Anambra residents, particularly parents, school teachers, and guardians, not to allow their female children/wards to take part in the ongoing HPV vaccination exercise in the state.
It was also gathered that the video circulation is coming barely 24 hours after the State Governor’s wife, Dr Nonye Soludo, officially launched the free exercise at Michael Tansi Secondary School Aguleri, in Anambra East Local Government Area of the State.
According to Mrs Soludo, the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine is Anambra to provide lasting protection for girls aged 9–14 years before they get exposed to the virus, which is the primary cause of cervical cancer.
The free vaccination is expected to run across the 179 communities in the state, and it is billed free of charge.
Reacting further, the WHO coordinator noted that Anambra State has already taken the lead in preventing the virus through the Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo Initiative.
According to him, members of the public should make sure they go to the right place for safe vaccination, not just listen to people who do not appreciate what the current administration of Governor Chukwuma Soludo is doing in the state.
“The rumour mongers are doing this just to create content for social media consumers.
“The vaccine is safe and effective. The vaccine is to prevent cervical cancer among young girls. The vaccine is only meant for girls aged 9 to 14 years.
“Enugu State introduced the vaccine in early 2023, and up until this moment, nothing bad has happened to any girl that administered the vaccine.
While warning people he described as enemies of progress in Ndi-Anambra to stop peddling rumours that have no symptom of truth, Igboekwu noted that the organisation would always be alive to its responsibility to track down the activities of peddlers of fake news against free humanitarian activities in the region and the country at large.
The briefing was also attended by the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike, the Executive Secretary/CEO of the Anambra State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (APHCDA), Pharm. (Mrs.) Chisom Uchem, and the representative of UNICEF in the state.
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