(DDM) – The Association of Community Pharmacists of Nigeria (ACPN) has appealed to parents not to stop their teenage daughters from receiving vaccines designed to prevent cervical cancer.
Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) notes that the call was made in Ibadan by ACPN Oyo State Chairman, Pharmacist Adebayo Gbadamosi, during the official flag-off of pharmacy-based immunization delivery.
The programme was organised by the Oyo State Primary Healthcare Board in partnership with ACPN and Population Services International Nigeria.
The event drew the participation of several stakeholders, including the Executive Secretary of the Oyo State Primary Healthcare Board, Dr. Muideen Olatunji, represented by Dr. Adeyemi Adewole, as well as Nigeria Country Manager, Dr. Adebayo Adebisi.
Speaking to journalists, Gbadamosi lamented that many Nigerian women are being diagnosed with cervical cancer later in life, often during their reproductive years, despite the availability of preventive vaccines.
He stressed that vaccination is a critical tool for prevention, arguing that teenagers as young as 13 should be vaccinated to shield them against cervical cancer in adulthood.
“The world is moving towards prevention rather than cure,” he explained.
“A large number of women in their reproductive age are still suffering from cervical cancer, which could have been avoided if they were vaccinated early.”
According to him, vaccines strengthen the body’s immune system to resist diseases before exposure occurs.
He added that the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, which prevents cervical cancer, is most effective when given before teenage girls become sexually active.
“If we equip all our children with the HPV vaccine at age 13, cases of cervical cancer in adulthood will reduce drastically,” he said.
“This will guarantee women a healthier reproductive age and reduce mortality. Vaccination is safe, effective, and capable of elongating life.”
Gbadamosi further highlighted the importance of pharmacy-based immunization delivery, noting that it will bring vaccines closer to the people through community pharmacists.
“Pharmacists are the closest healthcare providers to the people, and involving them means immunization becomes more accessible across Oyo State,” he said.
He also clarified that the initiative was not about competition among healthcare providers but about collaboration to protect public health.
Dr. Olatunji, speaking through his representative, echoed the point, saying the overall objective of the initiative was to expand immunization reach and ensure more residents of Oyo State benefit.
Health experts have long identified cervical cancer as one of the most preventable cancers globally, with vaccination and regular screening playing critical roles.
Yet in Nigeria, low awareness, myths about vaccines, and lack of access to health facilities remain barriers to widespread uptake.
The new initiative seeks to address these gaps by making vaccination available at the community level, thereby boosting coverage and saving lives.
With cervical cancer still ranked as the second most common cancer among Nigerian women, stakeholders say prevention through vaccination must become a national priority.
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