Govt announces free vaccine for this cancer

The government should begin deploying mass vaccination against cervical cancer in two weeks.

Nation report that the Ministry of Health is targeting 10-year-old girls, who will receive two free doses of the cancer vaccine Human Papillomavirus (HPV).

The two doses are expected to be administered in 9,000 public, private and faith-based institutions across the country, and will be spaced by six months.

The World Health Organization recommends that for vaccination to be effective, it should be given to girls aged 9 to 14 years.

On Tuesday morning, officials from the Ministry of Health met with other partners to set the stage for the launch.

The government has decided to fight cervical cancer because it is the second most common cancer in Kenya, according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer.

"It is unfortunate that we are losing seven women every day because of cancer. This is preventable by vaccination.

"If you prevent HPV infection, you can prevent cervical cancer," said the immunization chief of the Ministry of Health. Collins Tabu, at the stakeholder meeting.

"The HPV vaccine is an extraordinary vaccine. This is the most effective way to prevent cervical cancer and it is very safe. I am also a father of girls and all have received the vaccine.

"By vaccinating our girls against HPV, we prevent the disease for life, they can grow, flourish and flourish," said the WHO representative in Kenya. Dr. Rudi Eggers, during the briefing

Doctors affiliated with the Catholic Church, however, opposed this project.

The Association of Catholic Physicians of Kenya (KCDA) has questioned the decision to vaccinate 10-year-old girls against HPV.

"At age 10, our children are not sexually active. They are not at risk of contracting HPV or other STDs. This also applies to other people who are not sexually active. It also includes sexually active people who are loyal to their partners, "said KCDA President Dr. Stephen Karanja, in the statement.