Bukola Afeni
A Social and Behavior Change Specialist from United Nations Children’s Fund field office, Lagos State, Mrs Aderonke Akinola-Akinwole, has called on youths to spreading positive message about HPV vaccine.
She urged them to utilise their platform in embracing technology and contributing immensely to the socio economic development of the country.
She stated this during the Campaign of the second phase of Human Papilloma Virus vaccination programme which ought to commence at the beginning of May.
This was revealed at the town and gown interaction held at covenant University, Ota, with the theme “Strategic Communication for Behaviour Changes in the Digital Age’ organised by the Mass Communication Department of the university in collaboration with UNICEF.
She added that Cervical cancer among other variants is said to be responsible for highest number of deaths in women after breast cancer .
” HPV vaccine will be provided for girls between the ages of 9 and 14 years to protect them against the deadly Human Papilloma Virus causing cervical cancer in women.”
The Social and behaviour Communication consultant urged the students to become vaccine ambassadors.
“The students have existing structures, networks and platforms and they have a voice that have very strong influence on the society. We are engaging them so that they can use their platforms and various networks and structures to promote the vaccine uptake, particularly with Human Papiloma Virus Vaccine.”