Yilo krobo: Health officials in Yilo Krobo are facing challenges as some parents are preventing their daughters from receiving the free Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, which aims to protect girls aged nine to 14 years from cervical cancer.
According to Ghana News Agency, the Yilo Krobo Municipal Health Directorate in the Eastern Region expressed concerns during a municipality-wide vaccination campaign targeting basic and Junior High Schools (JHS). This initiative is part of a national effort to prevent HPV infections. Ms. Hannah Danquah, a Municipal Public Health Nurse, highlighted during a community engagement organized by the Yilo Krobo Municipal Assembly that resistance became apparent when some girls refused the vaccine, citing instructions from their parents.
The health directorate has set a goal to vaccinate over 8,000 girls in the municipality. However, only about 2,000 were vaccinated on the first day, and officials are worried about the significant number of resistant parents. Ms. Danquah explained that some parents cited specific illnesses as reasons for rejecting the vaccine, while others provided no clear justification. Health workers are engaging parents to explain the vaccine's safety and importance, but some remain unconvinced.
Ms. Danquah emphasized that the HPV vaccine is safe, free, and globally approved, with proven effectiveness in preventing HPV infections, the leading cause of cervical cancer and genital warts. She stressed the importance of vaccinating children before they begin sexual activity to prevent exposure to the HPV virus.
She also highlighted the significance of early detection and prevention of cervical cancer, recommending that women undergo screening at ages 21, 35, and 45. Many women do not undergo regular screening, often detecting the disease too late. Ms. Danquah warned that unvaccinated girls exposed to the HPV virus could face serious health complications.
Parents are urged to trust the health system and cooperate with health officials to ensure their daughters' protection. The Directorate is committed to achieving full coverage of the HPV vaccination campaign in the municipality, believing that continuous public education and community engagement are crucial for increasing vaccine acceptance.
Health officials are intensifying efforts to dispel myths and misinformation surrounding vaccination. Vaccine hesitancy remains a challenge in parts of the Krobo area, as seen during the COVID-19 vaccination campaign when some residents of Upper Manya Krobo reportedly refused the jab due to unfounded myths.
