By Sitembile Siwawa
GOVERNMENT has successfully vaccinated 23,694 girls against human papilloma virus (HPV) out of 25,000 grade four girls in school and non-school going girls aged 10.
Ministry of Community Development, Mother and Child Health permanent secretary Elwyn Chomba said in a statement that the first round of HPV vaccination in three districts of Lusaka was successful.
Professor Chomba said the successful HPV vaccination, which was done in Lusaka, Chongwe and Kafue stands at 95 percent.
"Government has prioritised the reduction of cervical cancer by introducing the HPV vaccine in the three districts, which will eventually be rolled out to all districts," she said.
The second round dose took place from July 27 to August 9 with the 23,694 girls who received the first dose receiving the second dose of HPV vaccine.
She has since urged parents, guardians and stakeholders to re-commit themselves to ensuring that all girls take part in the third and final round of vaccinations, which will take place in November.
"I urge all teachers and parents to work hard to ensure we have a100 percent compliance to the second and third rounds," Prof Chomba said.
Zambia has one of the highest cervical cancer rates in the world and is the leading cause of death in women.
However, deaths from cervical cancer can be prevented through proven interventions, HPV vaccinations, screening and early treatment.
Meanwhile, some mothers in Lusaka have expressed happiness over the newly-introduced pneumonia vaccine.
Last month, Zambia introduced the pneumonia vaccine for the first time. Babies at six weeks can receive the first pneumonia dose, the second dose is given at 10 weeks and the third and final dose is given at 14 weeks.
A check by Femail News at some health centres in Lusaka during the week found health personnel administering the vaccine to babies.
A check at Matero Referral Centre found mothers with babies waiting in queues to be attended to. A mother spoken to said she felt it was important to get the babies vaccinated with the pneumonia vaccine.
Mary Zulu said: "Am now assured that my son will never get sick of any pneumonia-related illness because of the vaccine."
Ms Zulu said mothers should not shun this important exercise as it has many benefits to the lives of young children.
And another mother, Njavwa Masupelo, said the vaccine is safe and mothers should not fear it due to unfounded rumours that it harms children later in life.
Ms Masupelo has since thanked the Government for introducing the vaccine adding it will save the lives of many children.
And a health practitioner at the Railways Clinic, who sought anonymity, said ever since the vaccine was launched, it has received good response from parents and guardians.
She said the pneumonia vaccine has now been introduced in the national immunisation programmes.
She said: "We vaccinate young babies whenever they come for under-five programmes and we are not receiving any resistance from mothers."
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