A tweet posted on January 11, 2021 (see screengrab above), asserts that the HPV vaccine has had a history of sterilizing young women in Kenya.
Are these claims authentic?
Background
January is marked as the cervical health awareness month. On October, 18th, 2020, President Uhuru rolled out the HPV vaccine, putting Kenya in the map as the 16th country to introduce the vaccine into its routine immunization schedule in Africa.
On 17th November 2020, the WHO launched a global strategy to accelerate the elimination of cervical cancer in three key steps; to vaccinate, to screen and to treat.
In Kenya, research shows that cervical cancer is the second most common cancer and the leading cause of cancer deaths, with an estimation of 4,802 diagnoses which is approximately 68%. This translates to 2,401 women succumbing to it annually and 7 deaths daily.
Cervical cancer is mainly caused by various strains of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) which is a virus transmitted through direct sexual contact. There are more than 100 types of HPV and 14 of these are cancer-causing. These strains are classified into two: non-oncogenic which are wart-causing and oncogenic which are cancer-causing.
HPV vaccination is highly effective when given before a person is exposed to any HPV. Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), recommends vaccination at age 11-12. However, in instances where adults between the ages of 27-45 did not adequately get vaccinated when they were younger, they may decide to get the vaccine based on discussion with their clinician.
Verification
On June 8, 2006, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved and licensed Gardasil 9 as a safe HPV vaccine for females 9-26 years of age to protect against cervical, vulvar and vagina warts and cancers caused by the Human Papillomavirus.
There is no data suggesting that getting the HPV vaccine will have a negative effect on fertility. These claims are unscientific and are not backed by any research or clinical trials. This vaccine helps protect fertility by preventing gynaecological problems related to the treatment of cervical cancer.
HPV and cervical cancer are treatable if early detected.
Verdict
The claim that the HPV vaccine has a history of sterilizing women in Kenya is MISLEADING.
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