Experts ramp up drive to demystify HPV vaccine

HPV vaccine. [Courtesy/GettyImages]

The government and health experts are stepping up efforts to demystify myths surrounding the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination among the Kenyan population.

This renewed focus became evident during the launch of an intensified campaign targeting girls aged between 10 and 14 in Vihiga County. 

The drive is part of Kenya’s shift to a single-dose HPV vaccine regimen and aims to reach more than 10,000 eligible girls across the county. Yet, concerns still linger among some Kenyans who fear the vaccine could affect future fertility.

During the launch at Mbale Municipal Grounds, the event held under the theme “Prevention is Power: HPV Vaccine Ndio Form” came at a critical moment, when community mistrust, fuelled by misinformation remained high. 

The gathering, therefore, became more than a vaccination launch; it was a deliberate effort to rebuild confidence.

To demonstrate transparency and boost trust, several county officials offered their own daughters as the first recipients of the vaccine.

Among the girls vaccinated was 12-year-old Faith (not her real name), who attended the event with her mother.

Community Health Promoters had previously tried to convince the mother to allow her daughter to be vaccinated, but their efforts were met with harsh resistance. 

For months, she hesitated after receiving conflicting information from neighbours and relatives, who warned her that the vaccine could make Faith unable to bear children in the future.

“They were convincing,” she recalled. “They said Western countries and even the government wanted to control the population, and injecting our girls was one of the ways to make them barren.”

Her stance shifted when she learned that the daughter of a senior county health official would also be vaccinated.

“After listening to the day’s speakers and watching my church leaders stand behind the programme, I felt ready,” Faith’s mother said.

At the event, health workers shared moving stories of women who arrived at hospitals too late, their cancers already advanced beyond treatment. 

Officials repeatedly stressed that myths linking the HPV vaccine to infertility were unfounded, emphasising instead that the vaccine is safe, effective, and designed solely to prevent cervical cancer.

Vitalis Juma, the focal point person for the HPV vaccine programme in western Kenya, explained that cervical cancer is not a mysterious curse or the result of spiritual attack, adding that it is caused by a common virus transmitted through intimate skin-to-skin contact.

“The culprit is the human papillomavirus, a group of more than 200 related viruses. This has nothing to do with curses, nor does its prevention make girls sterile,” he said.

Dr Juma noted that despite its proven benefits, uptake of the HPV vaccine has been uneven across the country.

“Some regions record impressively high coverage, while others—particularly remote or pastoralist areas—struggle to reach eligible girls. Misinformation, cultural misconceptions and limited access to health facilities have often hindered progress,” he said.

Research shows that while many HPV infections clear on their own, persistent infection with high-risk strains—especially HPV-16 and HPV-18, significantly increases the risk of cervical cancer.

According to national figures, cervical cancer accounts for 5,845 new cases annually in Kenya and 3,591 deaths, making it the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women. 

Kenya Medical Research Institute data show that women between 45 and 55 represent the largest share of cases at 42 percent, followed by women aged  30-44 at 30 per cent.

This pattern indicates that HPV exposure often occurs in early adulthood, while cancer develops decades later.

Because HPV is sexually transmitted, risk factors include early sexual debut, multiple sexual partners and co-infections such as HIV.

Cervical cancer, however, is not inevitable—it can be prevented through vaccination, early detection and timely treatment according to health experts. 

The Vihiga event marked a turning point in Kenya’s fight against cervical cancer, launching a renewed vaccination drive that promised protection for thousands of girls.

A crucial mission lay in confronting the myths that have slowed uptake for years. 

County leaders, health experts, schoolgirls, parents and church representatives stood together, united by the message that cervical cancer is preventable and the vaccine is safe.

Among the speakers was Fredrick Were of the Kenya Paediatric Research Consortium, who reaffirmed that the single-dose HPV vaccine is safe, approved and highly effective in preventing cervical cancer. 

Prof Were emphasised the need to dispel myths and build lasting vaccine confidence.

“There is absolutely no evidence that this vaccine affects fertility, if anything, it protects fertility by ensuring our girls never face the trauma of cancer treatments that could damage their reproductive health,” Prof Were said.

He added that Kenya’s switch to a single-dose regimen was informed by research showing that one dose offers strong, lasting protection.

For communities like Vihiga—where long distances and follow-up visits often hindered completion of multi-dose schedules—the change was widely welcomed.

The event attracted more than 500 girls and key partners, including Keprecon, led by Were, who also chairs the National Immunisation Technical Advisory Group.

“This single-dose approach is a game changer,” Were said.

“We now know that one shot gives excellent protection against the HPV strains that cause most cervical cancers. This means we can reach more girls more quickly, especially in rural areas.”

He highlighted local and international studies, including KEMRI research, demonstrating strong protection offered by a single dose against high-risk strains HPV-16 and HPV-18.

“By reducing the number of doses, the ministry aims to make the programme easier to implement and to minimise drop-out rates,” he added.

Dozens of girls were vaccinated on site, and arrangements were made for follow-up outreach in schools and villages. 

Health workers described the launch as a renewed moment of hope.

The county health department outlined a programme involving town-hall meetings, screenings, religious outreach and use of formal gatherings like funerals and weddings to enhance community engagement. 

Chief Officer for Health Dr Mary Anyiendah said the government plans house-to-house outreach to ensure residents understand the importance of the vaccine.

“We will invest in sensitisation and community outreach to ensure all eligible girls across the county receive the vaccine,” Dr Anyiendah said. Community Health Promoters will lead the grassroots efforts.

Director of Health Services Benjamin Induswe said the county aims for 90 percent immunisation coverage in the coming days.

“The county government will intensify household visits to reach families who could not attend such events,” Dr Induswe. Officials stressed the importance of screening, noting that the vaccine prevents new infections but does not treat existing ones or protect against every HPV type. 

Women were urged to seek regular screening, as early detection drastically improves treatment outcomes.

Vihiga Governor Wilber Ottichilo encouraged women to undergo regular cervical cancer screening and appealed to parents, guardians, educators, religious leaders and the wider community to support HPV vaccination.

“The HPV vaccine will be provided free of charge at all designated health facilities across the county,” he said.

He added that his administration is pushing for more cervical cancer screening points, better treatment access and faster referrals.

“Vaccination and screening must go hand in hand,” Ottichilo reminded the gathering.

“The vaccine protects our daughters. Screening protects our mothers.”

He urged Community Health Promoters to intensify advocacy during household visits, debunk myths and ensure parents take their daughters for the vaccine.

“Apart from screening, we must embrace the HPV vaccine. It is not a family planning method and us leaders addressing common myths will go a long way in boosting confidence,” he said.

Religious leaders, teenagers, a section of parents, and civil society groups also pledged to counter misinformation. 

Bishop Derrick Wawire, head of the Vihiga Interfaith Network, said churches would invite medics to educate congregants.

 “As church leaders, we will initiate discussions to demystify the HPV vaccine and address concerns that have slowed uptake,” he said.

Using the religous voices is part of the effort by stakeholders to convince the mass.

“This vaccine is not about controlling fertility. It is about safeguarding life. We will take this conversation to our congregations so that every parent understands exactly what the vaccine does,” said Bishop Wawire. 

County Assembly Health Committee Chairperson Dr Fredrick Mavisi urged more parents to follow the example of the 500 mothers who brought their daughters for vaccination.

“This vaccine is free, and no girl should miss this protection because of fear,” he said adding that the county assembly will continue to pass laws that seek to better health services in the county.