Vaccination campaign – Proactive action against HPV and cervical cancer

Among the sustainable development goals (SDGs), goal number three is to promote and ensure good health and well being of people of all ages by promoting preventive and curative or generally provision and access to universal healthcare. In line with this SDG, focusing on health, actions are encouraged to foster public health, including different actions, such as vaccinations to prevent both communicable and non-communicable diseases. Such a focus is the main driver of the drive to universally avail cervical cancer vaccinations for qualified persons.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cervical cancer is one of the most common cancers among women, responsible for more than 200,000 deaths annually. It is the fourth most common or frequent type of cancer, with more than 570,000 cases reported in 2018, representing approximately 6.6% of all cancers. Indeed it is a very common and prevalent type of cancer, affecting women. It is more prevalent in developing countries; approximately 90% of the deaths attributable to cervical cancer occur in low and middle-income countries. These are preventable deaths.

Cervical cancer is caused by human papillomavirus (HPV), a virus that is spread via sexual intercourse and or contact with an infected person. It is important to note that while cervical cancer has been a prevalent or common type of cancer, it is preventable by vaccination. Previously, the vaccination has largely been available commercially, and was a bit pricey, implying that only individuals with healthcare insurance or the wealthy, could only afford the same. However, different governments in Africa, recognizing the increasing threat to public health posed by cervical cancer, have partnered with non-governmental organizations, such as PATH, and international organizations to subsidize and avail the vaccine to children from an early age. Different countries across the world, 115 countries, including in Africa, such as Uganda, Rwanda, and Tanzania, routinely administer vaccines.

In October 2019, joining the other African countries that had launched similar projects, Kenya launched a nationwide campaign targeted at young girls aged 10 years. All girls falling under the target bracket would receive the vaccine at no cost. The President of Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta, launching the project, termed it as a major milestone in the fight against non-communicable disease, and a stride in the right direction, supporting the countries endeavor towards the universal health drive and supporting the achievement of the SDGs, to which Kenya is a signatory.

The government, according to media reports, had pumped in approximately $7.7 million in the drive, which will see the young girls get the vaccine in two doses, six months apart. The drive is aimed at reducing incidents of new cases of cervical cancer, and in the long-term, reduce mortality rates associated with cervical cancers. 

Dr. Collins Tabu, who is the head of the National Vaccine Immunization Program, observed that countries such as Rwanda, which had adopted the programs earlier, had been able to virtually eliminate cervical cancer. Projecting similar gains, the head of the project, as well as the head of state, called upon the different stakeholders to support the program and encourage parents to bring their children for the vaccine.

Important Links: UNDP, WHO.int, voanews.com