HPV vaccine not available in Lagos hospitals, experts blame government for its scarcity

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PUNCH HealthWise findings revealed that major public hospitals in Lagos State lack the human papillomavirus vaccine that protects women and girls against cervical cancer. Some mothers have shared their frustrations over the inability to get their daughters vaccinated as experts blame the government for the scarcity. ANGELA ONWUZOO reports

A Lagos businesswoman, Mrs Abigail Joseph is unhappy with her inability to get her 14-year-old daughter vaccinated against cervical cancer with the human papillomavirus vaccine which protects against the disease after visiting large state and federal government owned hospitals. .

After struggling to raise N20,000 from his petty business, getting the vaccine for his daughter has remained elusive since August 2022 as major government hospitals in the state do not have the vaccine.

What I hear from the nurses every time I take my daughter to the hospital for the HPV vaccine is, madam, the vaccine is not available. And we don’t know when it will be available, the mother of four said.

Mrs Joseph told our correspondent that a friend of hers died of cervical cancer and so she would do everything in her power to protect her daughter from the deadly disease as she could be prevented with the HPV vaccine.

The Delta State native who said he discovered the HPV vaccine and its importance in preventing cervical cancer during his friend’s funeral, noted that apart from the high cost vaccine, barriers to obtaining it could discourage parents from vaccinating their teenage girls.

According to the World Health Organization, almost all cases of cervical cancer can be attributed to HPV infection.

He notes that a large majority of cervical cancers (over 95%) are due to HPV infection.

HPV vaccination along with screening and treatment of precancerous lesions is a cost-effective way to prevent cervical cancer.

HPV vaccines work best if given before exposure to HPV. Therefore, to prevent cervical cancer, the WHO recommends vaccinating girls between the ages of 9 and 14, when most have not started sexual activity, she adds.

Experts say the HPV vaccine is 97% effective in preventing cervical cancer and cell changes that could lead to cancer, but regret that the vaccine is not available for women in the country.

They note that the vaccine is extremely effective in preventing HPV infection, especially when boys and girls are vaccinated before they become sexually active.

Ms Joseph told PUNCH HealthWise that her daughter who was initially thrilled to receive the vaccine is however saddened by the scarcity.

I took my daughter to Gbagada General Hospital in August 2022 for her to be vaccinated but we were told they did not have it. One of the nurses we met at the maternity ward told us to go to either Lagos Teaching Hospital, Idi-Araba or Lagos State Teaching Hospital, Ikeja.

So my daughter suggested we go to LUTH as it was closer to home, Yaba to be precise.

When we arrived, the nurses we met in their vaccination ward told us that they did not have the HPV vaccine.

They told us that the HPV vaccine is rare in the country. When we asked when they are likely to have it, they said it depends on the provider.

But one of them advised us to try one of the big private hospitals in the state, but that it will be very expensive. She told us that we could get it for up to N35,000 at these big private hospitals if they have it while the cost is N15,000 at LUTH, the shopkeeper said.

The vegetable seller said she and her daughter didn’t bother to consider one of the large private hospitals in the state suggested by the nurses because of the cost.

Not available in LUTE, LASUTH

The depressed mother said: Due to the high cost of the HPV vaccine in private hospitals, we haven’t bothered to approach any of them and my daughter needs two shots of the vaccine to be fully protected against cancer. of the cervix. I can’t afford it.

A poor man cannot access healthcare out of pocket at a large private hospital in Lagos. You also know what I’m talking about.

So later in November last year my daughter said we should try LASUTH. When we arrived the story was the same. The nurses we met told us that they did not have the HPV vaccine.

Continuing, Ms. Joseph noted: When I expressed my anger at the shortage, they told me that I was not the only one looking for the vaccine.

Blame the government for the shortage, nurses tell mothers

One of the nurses said to me: Madam, let me tell you, all this lamentation here will not change anything. A lot of mothers brought their daughters here to get HPV shots and we told them the same thing we just told you and they left and you’re here complaining and screaming.

Go complain to the government whose duty it is to make the vaccine available and not to us. We only administer the vaccine and do not purchase it. At that time, my daughter and I left the hospital angry.

Undeterred by her latest experience, Ms. Joseph told our correspondent that she still took her daughter to LASUTH on January 19, 2023 to be vaccinated but was told the vaccine was not yet available.

We went back to LASUTH last week, but still the story didn’t change. They said they didn’t have the vaccine. If by the end of March I cannot get my daughter vaccinated, I will put the money I have set aside for the vaccine back into my vegetable business. I am the only one struggling to take care of my four children. My husband is late.

I don’t even know there is a vaccine that can prevent cervical cancer. It was the day a friend of mine who died of cervical cancer in April 2022 was buried that I learned of this.

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