This archive report was first published on 17 October 2019.
Kenya has made significant strides in the fight against cervical cancer with the government's decision to roll out the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. The vaccine will be launched on Friday, October 18, 2019, in Mombasa County.
According to Health Cabinet Secretary Sicily Kariuki, cervical cancer is a preventable disease through vaccination. 'Cancer of the Cervix is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women in Kenya. Nine women die from Cervical Cancer in Kenya alone, every day. This is one too many! Cervical Cancer is now preventable through vaccination,' Kariuki said.
The HPV vaccine will be administered free of charge to approximately 800,000 girls aged ten years in two doses, six months apart. The vaccine will be incorporated into the routine immunization schedule for children, making Kenya the 16th African country and 115th nation globally to do so.
Speaking to the media, Benda Kithaka, a civil society representative, emphasized the safety and efficiency of the HPV vaccine. 'HPV vaccine is safe and efficient and will be available to all 10-year-old girls. Let's not sit and watch, save our girls,' Kithaka said.
The Ministry of Health is working closely with the World Health Organization (WHO) and other agencies in the roll-out of the nationwide HPV vaccine initiative.
