This archive report was first published on 3 November 2019.
On November 3, 2019, the Ministry of Health launched a vaccination campaign against Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), the primary cause of cervical cancer in Kenya.
Despite the widespread support for the vaccine, a few individuals have been spreading conspiracy theories and misinformation about its efficacy and potential side effects.
Some have argued that vaccinating girls will encourage them to engage in promiscuous behavior, while others claim that cervical cancer is not a significant enough health issue to warrant a national vaccination campaign.
However, the truth is that cervical cancer is a major health problem in Kenya, with thousands of women diagnosed with the disease every year and over half of them dying from it.
Researchers have developed a vaccine that boosts the body's immunity against HPV, significantly reducing the risk of cervical cancer.
As Associate Professor of Psychiatry at Moi University School of Medicine, I believe that it is essential to rely on expert advice and scientific evidence when making decisions about our health.
We must not assume that our own opinions can replace expert advice, and we should be cautious of placing social media opinions on the same pedestal as medical advice.
It is crucial to base our opposition to medical interventions on substantiated facts, rather than unsubstantiated conspiracy theories.
Our lives and health are too important to be left at the mercy of scaremongers and conspiracy theorists.
