HPV vaccine in Kenya: The cost, eligibility and myths
The HPV vaccine is a safe and effective way to protect against both genital warts and most cases of cervical cancer in Kenya in a bid to promote women’s health. The HPV vaccine also protects against mouth, head, neck, and throat cancer caused by HPV.
Introduced in Kenya’s routine immunisation programme in October 2019 after a successful piloting phase, the HPV vaccine has evolved to become among the country’s centrepieces for championing women’s health and reducing cervical cancer, aligning with WHO’s global strategy to wipe out the disease by 2030.
In 2025, the World Health Organisation (WHO) indicated that there are 8 licensed HPV vaccines, five of which have received WHO pre-qualification and are available globally, protecting against high-risk HPV types 16 and 18, which cause cervical cancer.
Get the HPV vaccine today in Kenya at Inka Medical Centerto help fight cervical cancer.
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What is HPV and its symptoms?
To understand how the HPV vaccine works in Kenya and the cost and myths surrounding it, it is important to first know what HPV is. In full, HPV is Human Papillomavirus, which stands among the most common sexually transmitted infections, not only in Kenya but globally, putting women’s health at risk.
Its formal introduction to Kenya came after a silent battle, where different families saw their loved ones being buried, with the Ministry of Health releasing alarming figures of close to 3,000 deaths annually. In fact, cervical cancer ranks as the second most frequent cancer among women in Kenya, attributed to HPVs 16 or 18.
HPV Symptoms
At the onset, many people show little to no symptoms at all, making it easy to spread through skin-to-skin contact, which is mostly through sexual intercourse.
However, when HPV symptoms start showing up, they vary depending on the virus strain. According to medical experts and researchers, low-risk HPV in most cases causes genital warts (small, flesh-coloured bumps that cause discomfort and, in some instances, cause itching in the genital or anal areas).
On the other hand, high-risk HPV strains rarely cause immediate symptoms but often lead to cellular changes over the years, which result in a Pap smear during screening.
The worrying part is that the cellular changes can progress to precancerous lesions or full-blown cancers, including cervical, anal, vulvar, vaginal, penile, or oropharyngeal cancers.
Always go for regular screening to help detect HPV-related strains early enough to prevent cervical cancer
HPV vaccine recommendations
With the health risk associated with the virus, the HPV vaccine is one sure, safe, and effective way to protect children and adults from HPV-related diseases.
The Kenyan government, global experts, and the United States Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that preteens receive the HPV vaccine at around age 10 or 14 years old before becoming sexually active.
Its administration is essential, as it allows the body to create an immune system, protecting the body before it is exposed to the virus.
According to the WHO, the administration of the HPV vaccine may vary depending on the national schedule. In Kenya, the HPV vaccine is gradually shifting to a single-dose schedule following landmark trials, which showed efficacy, with the quadrivalent Gardasil vaccine being recommended to protect against HPV 6, 11, 16, and 18.
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HPV vaccine costs in Kenya
The Kenyan government, through the Ministry of Health, clearly stipulates that the HPV vaccine is free of charge to girls aged between 10 to 14 years in public health facilities.
Currently, the vaccines are donated to Kenya by the non-profit Gavi.
The cost, however, varies in private facilities. For Cervarix (Paediatric for girls aged between 9-14 years), it costs roughly Ksh7,700 per dose (requires 2 doses); for Cervarix (adults aged 15 years and above), it retails at around Ksh7,700 per dose (requires 3 doses); and for Gardasil 4 (for those aged between 9-26 years), it goes for Ksh17,000 per dose (requires 3 doses).
Myths surrounding HPV vaccine in Kenya
Government and WHO efforts to eliminate HPV-related diseases and fight cervical cancer have mainly been hampered by myths and misinformation.
In Kenya, the misleading information has also created a barrier in HPV vaccine penetration, creating a false alarm. In some societies, there is HPV vaccine uptake hesitancy due to myths about infertility. The myth about infertility is prevalent mostly in rural areas, where penetrations remain low in Kenya, hence eroding gains made in advocating for women’s health.
Another myth surrounding the HPV vaccine is that it encourages early sexual activities among teen girls, which is outrightly misleading.
The hesitancy has also been driven by the fear that the HPV vaccine acts as a form of contraception. Moreover, religious beliefs and cultural traditions have also contributed to creating misconceptions around the vaccine.
Media campaigns, education forums, awareness drives, and other sources of information rallies are now turbo-charging the HPV vaccine uptake rates in the country.
FAQs about the HPV vaccine
Who is not required to get the HPV vaccine?
Any professional doctor would not recommend any type of HPV vaccine to a pregnant woman or someone who is moderately or severely ill.
Are there any health risks or side effects associated with the HPV vaccine?
Research and medical reports approved by the Kenyan government, WHO, and other medical experts have found the HPV vaccine to be safe.
HPV vaccine effects are usually mild, with the most common ones including soreness, swelling, or redness at the injection site. To avoid other effects such as dizziness, it is always recommended that one remain seated for five minutes after getting the vaccine.
Do you need a Pap test after receiving the HPV vaccine?
Yes. The HPV vaccine is not supposed to replace Pap tests. Remember, routine screening for cervical cancer through Pap tests beginning at the age of 21 is still vital to early detection and care.
Conclusion
As the country and other development partners ramp up efforts to eliminate HPV-related diseases and cervical cancer by 2030, the WHO-approved HPV vaccine remains a glimmer of hope for Kenyans.
Dynamically continued innovation, sustained information campaigns, and proper donor funding can help Kenya drastically reduce the scourge of HPV-related diseases through vaccination. Community involvement also stands as a key driver to ensure no girl is left behind in the HPV vaccination drive in Kenya.
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