This archive report was first published on 5 November 2019.
Kenya's Ministry of Health has launched a vaccination drive against the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), a common sexually transmitted infection that can lead to cancer. The vaccine, which has been tested in many parts of the world, has been shunned in some communities due to alleged side effects.
Published on November 5, 2019, the vaccination drive targets over 800,000 girls aged 10, with the vaccine being administered in two doses. The HPV vaccine works by preparing the body to fight HPV infections, which can cause genital warts and cancer.
While the vaccine has been touted as the best weapon to prevent cervical cancer, some experts have questioned its efficiency in preventing cancer, citing that its efficacy is medically unproven. In Kenya, the Kenya Catholic Doctors Association has expressed concern over the vaccine, claiming it increases the chances of women getting cancer.
Dr. Benjamin Odongo, the chairperson of the Kenya Obstetrical, and Gynaecological Society, answers some of the most common questions about the HPV vaccine. He explains that HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection, even in monogamous relationships, and that anyone who is sexually active can get HPV, even if they have sex with only one person.
According to Dr. Odongo, sexual discipline, abstinence, chastity, and faithfulness alone do not entirely take away the risk of contracting HPV infection and cervical cancer. He emphasizes the need to protect individuals before their sexual debut, as the efficacy of HPV vaccination is greatest when given to HPV-naive women.
Dr. Odongo also addresses the odds of getting cervical cancer if one has HPV, explaining that HPV infection may resolve spontaneously in approximately 90% of individuals and does not cause any health problems. However, in a significant number of individuals, it can cause health problems like genital warts and cancer.
Regarding the reactions to the HPV vaccine, Dr. Odongo notes that the expected adverse reactions to Gardasil include pain, swelling, redness, stinging, bruising, bleeding at the injection site, and headache, fever, nausea, diarrhea, abdominal discomfort, and syncope. He emphasizes that severe adverse reactions are rare, and that Kenya has a National Vaccine Safety Advisory Committee and an independent team of experts that continuously evaluates and advises the country on vaccine safety.
Dr. Odongo also addresses the claim that Gardasil, which is being given out in Kenya, has more serious side effects and is no longer available in the USA. He explains that there are different types of HPV vaccine, including Cervarix, which covers only two strains of HPV, and Gardasil, which covers four types of HPV.
Regarding the cost of the vaccination drive, Dr. Odongo notes that it is not a commercial venture but rather a scientifically proven public health initiative to cut back on the burden due to cancer. The government will finance the vaccine through an existing co-financing mechanism, at Sh70 per dose, and will spend Sh108 million, not Sh13 billion.
