Public Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni has called on parents to ensure their daughters receive the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine to help prevent cervical cancer.
Muthoni stated that January being the Cervical Cancer Awareness month, the government is dedicated to vaccinating all girls aged 10 to 14 years.
She said through the Community Health Promoters (CHPs), the Ministry of Health has embarked on an awareness campaign across the country.
Muthoni assured the public that the vaccine is safe hence no need to fear.
“The vaccine is safe and parents should not fear. We want to encourage them to take their children to the health facilities so that they can get this shot,” she said.
Speaking during a church service in Kirinyaga, Muthoni further emphasised the need for regular cervical cancer screening among women between 25-49 years.
This, she said, helps to detect precancerous changes early.
“There is a need for screening every five years for early detection so that one can start treatment when they have been diagnosed with the disease,” she added.
Anglican Church Bishop Kirinyaga diocese Joseph Kibucwa added his voice calling on Churches to be on the front line to encourage women to go for early screening and allow their daughters to get the HPV vaccine.
He said early detection will be a great relief to cancer patients due to the cost of treatment assuring that the church will partner with the government to create awareness this month in all Churches.
The vaccine was first introduced in the country in 2019.
According to experts, in Kenya, cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women aged 15 years to 44 years.
It is estimated that every year, 5,250 women in the country are diagnosed with the disease, and about 3,286 cervical cancer deaths occur annually.
At the same time, 10.3 million women aged 15 years and above are at risk of developing the disease.
The two also called on residents to register with the Social Health Authority.
