Gov't to immunize girls against cervical cancer

By Cecilia Okoth

GOVERNMENT will at the end of this month start vaccinating school going children in Primary Four and those that are out of school aged 10 years, with the Human papillomavirus vaccine to guard them against cervical cancer.

Rukia Nakamate, the Ministry of Health spokesperson said the exercise was first piloted in 14 districts and it registered success and hence the need to roll it throughout the country.

"The HPV vaccine is given in 3 shots. The second shot is given 1 or 2 months after the first shot. Then a third shot is given 6 months after the first shot," Nakamate said.

HPV vaccine also produces a more robust immune response during the preteen years. It is mainly administered to young girls because older teens are less likely to get heath check-ups than preteens.