NAIROBI, Kenya — A new phase in Kenya’s fight against cervical cancer is set to begin in September 2026, with plans to roll out Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines targeting boys and adult women through the private sector, pharmaceutical firm Merck Sharp & Dohme has announced.
Speaking on the development, MSD Africa External Affairs Director Vuyo Mjekula said the move is aimed at broadening access beyond the traditional target group of girls aged 9–14 years, who are currently prioritised under Kenya’s national immunisation programme.
“We will be launching within the private sector in Kenya this September, the HPV vaccine targeting boys and adult women,” Mjekula said. “Our products should not only be available to the primary cohort but also to boys and adult women, especially those at higher risk, including people living with HIV.”
HPV is a leading cause of several cancers, including cervical cancer in women, as well as throat, anal, and penile cancers affecting men.
Public health programmes globally have largely focused on vaccinating girls, but experts say expanding coverage to boys could significantly reduce transmission and accelerate elimination efforts.
MSD Africa Managing Director Zwelethu Bashman said private sector involvement is critical in widening access, particularly in resource-constrained settings where governments may not be able to fund universal vaccination.
“We understand that governments have limited budgets. It is therefore important to create other avenues of access, and we believe the private sector is very viable,” Bashman said.
The announcement comes against a backdrop of a heavy cancer burden in Kenya and across Sub-Saharan Africa. In Kenya, an estimated 5,845 new cervical cancer cases and 3,600 deaths are recorded annually, making it one of the leading causes of cancer mortality among women.
Regionally, Sub-Saharan Africa accounts for nearly a quarter of global cervical cancer deaths, with 19 of the 20 highest-burden countries located in the region.
Kenya introduced HPV vaccination into its routine immunisation programme in 2019, marking a significant step in prevention efforts. The country has since developed a national cervical cancer elimination strategy aligned with global targets set by the World Health Organization.
Mjekula praised Kenya’s policy environment, noting progress towards eliminating cervical cancer by 2030. “We are really encouraged by the prioritisation of cervical cancer elimination in Kenya,” she said, adding that some African countries, including Cameroon, have already expanded vaccination to boys.
The rollout aligns with WHO’s “90:70:90” strategy, which aims to vaccinate 90 per cent of girls aged 9–14, screen 70 per cent of women aged 35- 45, and ensure 90pc of those diagnosed receive treatment.
MSD says it is also investing in strengthening health systems, including partnerships with governments, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, UNICEF, and civil society organisations.
Over the past 15 years, such collaborations have supported HPV vaccination programmes reaching more than 115 million girls across over 30 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Beyond vaccine supply, the company emphasised the importance of awareness, screening and early treatment, noting that effective cancer control requires a comprehensive ecosystem approach.
