The Jigawa State government has moved to calm public concerns over the Human Papillomavirus vaccine, insisting the jab is safe, effective, and essential for protecting the health of girls and women across the state.

Dr Shehu Sambo, Executive Secretary of the Jigawa State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, said the vaccine had undergone rigorous global safety checks and is already in widespread use in many countries. He emphasised that the state would not expose its children to any intervention that is not proven to be safe.

HPV is a large family of viruses transmitted mainly through skin-to-skin contact, most commonly during sexual activity. While many infections clear on their own, some high-risk strains can cause cervical cancer and other cancers of the reproductive tract, as well as genital warts. Health experts say vaccination before exposure to the virus is one of the most effective ways to prevent these conditions.

Sambo explained that Jigawa has now integrated the HPV vaccine into its routine immunisation schedule, targeting girls aged 9 to 14. This age group, he noted, is critical because the vaccine works best when given before the onset of sexual activity, when the risk of HPV infection begins to rise.

He linked the new vaccination drive directly to the state’s broader efforts to reduce maternal deaths and serious illness among women. Cervical cancer, he warned, remains a major killer, often detected only when it is too advanced for effective treatment. By vaccinating girls early, the state hopes to sharply cut future cases and improve survival rates for women.

Sambo appealed to parents and caregivers to present their daughters for vaccination at designated health facilities and outreach points. He said the agency is intensifying community engagement, using town hall meetings, school visits, religious gatherings, and media campaigns to dispel myths and counter misinformation about the vaccine.

According to him, trained health workers are on the ground in local government areas to answer questions, monitor any rare side effects, and ensure that the rollout follows national and international safety standards. He urged community leaders to support the campaign, describing their endorsement as vital to building trust and boosting uptake.