This archive report was first published on 17 October 2019.
The Kenyan government has launched a cancer vaccine program targeting 800,000 school girls across the country. The program, which kicked off on Friday, aims to protect girls against the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), a major cause of 99% of cervical cancer cases.
Health Cabinet Secretary Sicily Kariuki confirmed that the government has allocated Sh800 million for the first phase of the vaccination, which will run through this financial year. The vaccine will be administered to girls through 9,000 health facilities, including faith-based hospitals and school outreaches.
Speaking at a briefing ahead of the roll out, CS Kariuki allayed fears of adverse side effects, citing a trial phase conducted in Kitui county in 2013, which reported no harm. She noted that the vaccine's efficacy increases when given to girls yet to be sexually active, as the HPV virus is sexually transmitted.
The roll out makes Kenya the 16th country in Africa and 97th globally to introduce the vaccine. Tanzania introduced the vaccine in 2018, Rwanda in 2011, and Uganda in 2008.
