Kenya faces a high cervical cancer burden, with 5,236 women diagnosed and 3,211 deaths annually. It’s the second most common cancer among women aged 15+. While detection and treatment options are improving, HPV vaccination coverage remains inadequate. Expanding vaccination programs is critical to reducing cervical cancer cases and deaths in Kenya.However, misinformation about administering HPV vaccines to girls aged 10 to 14 is a significant barrier to achieving full vaccination coverage, particularly in many rural communities. Addressing these misconceptions is essential for improving vaccine uptake and protecting future generations.

In Kitui South’s Athi ward, Muangeni-Timboni Primary School has seen a transition. At first, people resisted the move to vaccinate girls, but now it brings hope and safety to the girls in the community. In 2022, when the HPV vaccine was introduced in the community, it was met with significant opposition. Many parents believed that vaccinating their daughters would prevent them from having children in the future. This fear was deep-rooted, and it stood as a barrier to the life-saving vaccine meant to protect against cervical cancer.

Peninnah Moses, a parent from Timboni village, vividly recalls the time when she was gripped by fear and confusion. “When the vaccine came to our village, we were not aware of what it was for. I believed it was a method of family planning. I told my daughter, who was in Grade 4 at the time, never to accept an injection unless I was there,” Peninnah shares.

Peninnah Moses and her daughter Faith

For Nurse Grace Muthengi, who has been serving the community at Muangeni Dispensary for over seven years, the challenge was both frustrating and heartbreaking. “At first, the community did not understand why we were pushing for the HPV vaccine.” Grace explains. “But we knew how crucial this vaccine was for protecting these young girls from cervical cancer, and we didn’t give up.”

Acceptance didn’t come easily—it started with education. Teachers like Magdalene Mule at Muangeni-Timboni Primary School helped dispel myths. “I initially worried the vaccine was for family planning,’ Mule admits, ‘but Nurse Grace clarified its true purpose.”

Magdalene did not stop there. She became a key figure in educating other parents, helping them see the truth about HPV and its link to cervical cancer. “Many parents were confused about why the vaccine was only being given to girls and not boys,” Magdalene shares. “I explained to them that the human papillomavirus (HPV) primarily affects women, leading to cervical cancer, which is why girls aged 10 to 14 were the focus of the vaccination.”

Despite the challenges, Magdalene and Grace Muthengi persisted. With the help of CMMB and the Ministry of Health (MoH), they organized health talks and discussions at local barazas (community meetings), where parents could ask questions and voice their concerns. Slowly but surely, the message began to sink in. Parents embrace the vaccination program.

Peninnah, once a skeptic, now stands as a champion for the vaccine. “After attending several barazas and learning more about HPV, I realized the vaccine was there to protect her,” she says. “Now, I speak to other parents, helping them understand that this vaccine is not about family planning.”

Thanks to CMMB and MoH, community awareness and participation in the HPV vaccination campaign grew significantly. CMMB Kenya supported the effort by providing transportation and training health workers like Grace to educate the community. The results were remarkable: Over 304 girls at Muangeni-Timboni Primary School received the vaccine, with most completing both doses. Previously hesitant parents now actively bring their daughters for vaccination.

For Nurse Grace, the experience was deeply rewarding. “The biggest lesson I’ve learned is that the community just needs to be enlightened,” she reflects. Magdalene echoes this sentiment. “The girls who have been vaccinated now encourage their classmates to get their parents’ consent. They tell them, ‘We’ll never get cancer because we’ve had the vaccine,’ and it gives the other girls confidence.”

Through continued education, outreach, and support, more communities have understood the life-saving importance of the HPV vaccine with 36,580 girls vaccinated. Each girl vaccinated is a step closer to a world free from cervical cancer.

Written by: Roy Mwangi