This archive report was first published on 22 August 2019.
Kenya is set to launch a mass vaccination campaign against cervical cancer, targeting 10-year-old girls across the country.
According to the Ministry of Health, the vaccination drive will begin in two weeks, with the aim of administering two free doses of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine to over 9,000 public, private, and faith-based health facilities nationwide.
The World Health Organization recommends that the HPV vaccine be given to girls between the ages of nine and 14 for it to be effective in preventing cervical cancer.
Kenya has one of the highest rates of cervical cancer in the world, with seven women dying from the disease every day, according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer.
"It is unfortunate that we lose seven women to cancer every day. This is preventable through vaccination," said Dr. Collins Tabu, Head of Immunization at the Health Ministry.
"If you prevent HPV infection then you can prevent cervical cancer," Dr. Tabu added.
WHO Representative in Kenya, Dr. Rudi Eggers, also expressed support for the vaccination drive, stating, "The HPV vaccine is an extraordinary vaccine. It is the most effective means of preventing cervical cancer and is very safe. I am also a father of girls and all of them have received the vaccine."
However, the Kenya Catholic Doctors Association has raised concerns over the decision to vaccinate 10-year-old girls, arguing that they are not at risk of contracting HPV or other STDs at such a young age.
"At 10 years, our children are not sexually active. They are not at risk of contracting HPV or other STDs. This applies also to other individuals who are not sexually active. It also includes those who are sexually active but are faithful to their partners," said Dr. Stephen Karanja, KCDA chairperson.
