Vihiga County unveils single-dose HPV vaccine to combat cervical cancer
By Enock Amukhale, December 10, 2025Parents in Vihiga County have been urged to take their young girls above 10 years to a nearby health facility to get the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination.
This is after the County Government of Vihiga, through the Department of Health Services, launched the single-dose Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination on Wednesday, December 10, 2025.
Healthcare workers and residents led by Governor Wilber Khasilwa Ottichilo presided over the launch of the HPV vaccination at Vihiga County headquarters at Mbale Municipal Grounds.
Governor Ottichilo championed the official rollout of the HPV vaccine targeting 10-year-old girls across five sub-counties: Emuhaya, Luanda, Sabatia, Hamisi and Vihiga.
Governor Ottichilo said the vaccine offers protection against HPV infections. He noted that HPV is responsible for nearly all cases of cervical cancer, the second most prevalent cancer among women in Kenya.
Governor Ottichilo encouraged women to undergo regular cervical cancer screening to know their status.
He appealed to parents, guardians, educators, religious leaders, and the broader community to support and promote HPV vaccination to ensure all eligible girls receive the vaccine at the recommended age.
“I am appealing to parents and guardians to ensure their young girls who are above 10 years get HPV vaccination. The HPV vaccine will be provided free of charge at all designated immunising health facilities across the county,” said Governor Ottichilo.
The HPV launch event in Vihiga featured a colourful procession, panel discussions, keynote speeches, and on-site vaccination services, culminating in a cake-cutting ceremony.
The event drew the participation of over 500 young girls and was attended by key partners, including the Kenya Paediatric Research Consortium (Keprecon), led by Executive Director Professor Fredrick Were, Championing Evidence-based Advocacy for PHC/RMNCAH-N (CEBA), Jumuia Hospitals; and MOMENTUM Country and Global Leadership (MCGL), among others.