By Maurice Momanyi in Nairobi

Senior leaders from Kenya’s North Eastern region convened in Nairobi to deliberate on strategies aimed at improving the uptake of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, which remains critically low across the region.

The HPV vaccine, recommended for girls aged 9 to 14 as a preventive measure against cervical cancer, has recorded an uptake rate of less than 10 percent in the region.

This low coverage has raised concerns among political, religious, and public health stakeholders, who have attributed the reluctance to prevailing myths, misinformation, and cultural misconceptions surrounding the vaccine.

The consultative meeting, under the auspices of the Kenya Paediatric Research Consortium (Keprecon), sought to engage influential regional leaders as advocates for vaccine acceptance.

According to Keprecon, the involvement of respected community figures is instrumental in addressing misinformation and fostering trust among the local population.

Among the notable attendees were Dr. Ali Maalim Mohamud, Deputy Governor of Mandera County, and Wajir County First Lady Rukia Abdinasir, both of whom underscored the importance of safeguarding girls’ health through timely vaccination.

The session brought together representatives from Mandera, Wajir, and Isiolo counties, with strong participation from both national and county governments, as well as leaders from the religious community.

The attendees of the forum concurred on the need to prioritize community engagement, enhance public education, and build trust to improve the vaccine’s acceptance and coverage across the region.