NAIROBI, Kenya – In a renewed push for cervical cancer prevention, Public Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni has urged parents to vaccinate their daughters against Human Papillomavirus (HPV).
Speaking on Sunday at Mung’ang’a ACK Church in Mathigaini, Kirinyaga County, Muthoni emphasized the critical importance of the vaccine in protecting young girls from the virus that can lead to cervical cancer.
Highlighting January as Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, Muthoni reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring that all girls under the age of 15 receive the HPV vaccine.
“It is very critical at this time that any girl below the age of 15 should be taken for HPV vaccinations,” she stated.
The Ministry of Health, through its network of community health promoters, has launched an awareness campaign to inform and encourage parents about the benefits of HPV vaccination.
This effort is part of a broader strategy to reduce the incidence of cervical cancer in the country.
In addition to advocating for vaccinations, Muthoni called on women between the ages of 25 and 50 to undergo regular cervical cancer screenings every five years.
She stressed that early detection through screening is vital for timely treatment and better health outcomes.
“Regular screening can detect precancerous changes early, allowing for early intervention and treatment,” Muthoni noted.
