This archive report was first published on 22 September 2019.
On September 22, 2019, Kilifi County announced plans to vaccinate over 24,000 girls against Human Papillomavirus (HPV) in a campaign aimed at reducing the incidence of cervical cancer in the region.
According to Dr. Omar Anisa, the county executive member in charge of health services, the campaign will target girls aged between 9 and 12 years.
The HPV vaccine is designed to protect beneficiaries from contracting HPV types 16 and 18, which cause the greatest risk of cervical cancer, Dr. Anisa explained during the official commissioning of the Mkaomoto dispensary in Malindi Constituency.
The World Health Organization estimates that 33 out of 100,000 women in Kenya have cancer, with 22 of the number succumbing to the disease, mostly affecting those over the age of 30 years.
Dr. Anisa stated that plans are at an advanced stage to vaccinate the girls, with teams set to go from house to house to administer the vaccine.
The county administration also plans to conduct Polio vaccination for children under five years beginning October, Dr. Anisa added.
Furthermore, the county aims to upgrade hospitals in Bamba, Jibana, Rabai, Marafa, and Mtwapa to level four hospitals.
