By Sharon Atieno
With an aim of expanding access to life-saving prevention, MSD, a multi-national pharmaceutical company, is set to roll out HPV in Kenya’s private sector targeting boys and adult women.
Zwelethu Bashman, Managing director, MSD Africa, made the announcement during a press briefing at the sidelines of the Africa Health Businness Symposium 2026 in Kenya’s capital, Nairobi. The symposium is themed: “Health as an Investment: Powering Impact, Sustainability, and Economic Growth in Africa.”
He noted that since 2018, they have been rolling out HPV vaccines to girls between the ages of nine and 14 years through the public program which is carried out by the government in partnership with MSD and GAVI.
“There is a misnomer that HPV vaccines should only be utilized in that cohort of nine to 14 year old girls. That is not the case. There is significant value to be derived by vaccinating boys, young women, adult women and particularly, those living with HIV,” Bashman said.
“We are utilizing the private market avenue to avail what we believe is a critical healthcare intervention for those that need it outside of the primary cohort.”
According to him, governments are budget-constrained hence they have to prioritize when making decisions.
“It’s not always possible to have a broadly funded public program for vaccinating every single person, and so it is important that we create other avenues of access, and we believe the private sector is a very viable one,” Bashman said.
A study published in JAMA Oncology, found that men and boys who received the HPV vaccine ( particularly pentavalent vaccine) from ages nine to 26 were nearly 50% less likely to develop cancers of the head and neck, oesophagus, anus, or penis.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends vaccinating boys against HPV as a secondary target to prevent HPV-related cancers and infections, particularly where feasible and affordable. While primary vaccination targets girls aged 9–14, expanding coverage to boys (9-26 years) is supported to reduce overall HPV transmission.
In Africa, Cameroon, Cabo Verde and Burkina Faso are among the countries that have expanded its HPV vaccination program to include boys.
MSD is involved in women’s cancers — led by cervical and breast cancers. The two continue to exact a heavy toll across Africa and here in Kenya, where approximately 5,845 new cervical cancer cases and 3,600 deaths are reported each year.
MSD’s partnership with some 33 countries in Africa has resulted in some 117 million girls receiving vaccination annually.
Cervical cancer is one of the few cancers that is almost totally preventable. The HPV vaccine is effective against most HPV strains, which account for more than 70% of cervical cancer cases.
To eliminate cervical cancer, WHO called on partners and countries in 2018 to increase access and coverage of three essential interventions: screening and treatment of pre-cancerous lesions, management of cervical cancer and HPV vaccination.
Beyond cervical cancer, through partnerships with organisations like City Cancer Challenge, MSD is helping to improve awareness, screening and access to cancer care in cities like Nairobi, Kumasi, Abuja, Kigali and beyond.
