130,000 to benefit from cancer vaccines

Over 130,000 girls will receive the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine to prevent cervical cancer. The exercise began yesterday.This is the second phase following a similar one last year, which saw over 100,000 adolescents receive the same jab three times, within a space of six months.The campaign targets girls between aged between 12 and 14.During the exercise that took place yesterday at Apapec Irebero Primary School, Gisozi, more than 40 girls were vaccinated.Queen Kamanzi, a Primary six pupil at the school who was among those vaccinated, said the vaccine would guard her against the cancer but she raised some concerns.“I have heard people saying that the vaccine may lead to one not giving birth. I hope these are mere rumours,” she said worriedly.Maurice Gatera, the head of vaccine preventable diseases in the Ministry ofHealth, said they were targeting more children compared to last year.Girls from primary six to senior three will be vaccinated unlike previously where only primary six pupils were vaccinated.He also refuted the rumours that this vaccine causes infertility saying that HPV Vaccine has no side effects at all but it only prevents cervical cancer.“Cervical cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer deaths among women in Rwanda...we want to fight it from the young generation by ensuring that every girl child is vaccinated,” Gatera said.Gatera said that Rwanda is the first country in Africa to have this programme rolled out countrywide as other countries have been doing it at district level. The official noted that the vaccine was very expensive (it would cost 450 dollars for each girl) but Rwanda has managed to roll it out countrywide with the help of development partners.During the vaccination exercise, children were also given de-worming tablets. Four million children in schools and communities are targeted for the de-worming programme.

National

130,000 to benefit from cancer vaccines