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An Expert Busts Myths Around The HPV Vaccine

• By Rich Health News Desk
• August 12, 2024

Some people have labeled myths about the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine as "false and misleading."

 

Professor of pediatrics and pediatric infectious diseases at the University of Benin School of Medicine, Prof. Ayebo Sadoh, addressed a number of untruths in a thorough interview with journalists in Abuja. She emphasized the importance and safety of the vaccine.

 

The World Health Organization describes HPV as a common STD that affects the throat, genitalia, and skin, according to Science Nigeria. It was mentioned that almost everyone who engages in sexual activity would eventually have the virus, frequently without any symptoms, and that the immune system will usually eliminate it from the body.

 

A high-risk HPV infection that persists can cause aberrant cell growth and eventually lead to cancer.

 

Prophylactic HPV vaccine in conjunction with pre-cancer screening and therapy is a cost-effective and efficient strategy to prevent cervical cancer, according to the findings. If cervical cancer is found in its early stages, it can be cured with prompt diagnosis and treatment.

 

Worldwide initiatives are in place to expedite the eradication of cervical cancer by 2030 by means of internationally agreed-upon targets.

In contrast to these claims, Sadoh explained that there are more than 100 types of HPV, not merely 11. Although strains 6–11, 16–18 are the main targets of the vaccination and are frequently linked to cervical cancer, strains 16 and 18 by themselves account for over 70% of occurrences of cervical cancer. With its ability to defend against strains 31, 33, and 45, the bivalent vaccine, which includes strains 16 and 18, has the potential to prevent up to 80% of instances of cervical cancer.

 

Regarding safety, she vehemently refuted the false claim that recipients of the vaccine are at risk. She denied allegations that the HPV vaccine has no benefits and emphasized the extensive testing and review procedures vaccines go through before being approved.

 

Sadoh emphasized that all medications must have demonstrated efficacy in order to be licensed, especially when given to healthy people. She emphasized that judicial cases by themselves do not prove causation, citing recorded incidents in the US as evidence.

 

She pointed out that although some research had found links between the vaccination and specific adverse effects, these findings needed long-term support from large cohorts of vaccinated people.

 

Additionally, she clarified that the availability of better alternatives—rather than side effects—was the reason behind the AstraZeneca vaccine's withdrawal. Numerous Nigerians who were administered the AstraZeneca vaccine did so without any adverse reactions.

 

Sadoh highlighted the potential of vaccines to save lives, pointing out that they save almost four million lives yearly, despite their commercial nature. She reassured that "it is not compulsory" in response to allegations that HPV vaccinations are required.

 

She refuted claims of inadequate government funding for PAP smear testing by highlighting the availability of free cervical cancer screenings at health clinics as part of a larger program.

 

She denounced the use of films to spread false information as a kind of domestic sabotage motivated by anti-vaccine feelings. Sadoh urged the public to have faith in the consultation processes that preceded the vaccine's release, questioning the timing and motivations behind scare tactics.

 

It is noteworthy that more than five million girls in the following states: Abia, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Jigawa, Kano, Kebbi, Lagos, Nasarawa, Ogun, Ondo, Taraba, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) were effectively vaccinated against HPV during the first phase of the vaccine deployment. On May 27, 2024, 21 states in Nigeria—Anambra, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Ekiti, Gombe, Imo, Kaduna, Katsina, Kwara, Kogi, Niger, Ondo, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers, Sokoto, Yobe, and Zamfara—saw the start of the campaign's second phase.