Episode notes
The Ministry of Health and Social Services has announced that the HPV vaccine will be officially rolled out between the 2nd and 13th of June 2025, targeting girls aged 9 to 14, primarily through school-based programs.
The goal? To prevent cervical cancer — a disease responsible for hundreds of deaths annually and largely linked to HPV.
But not everyone is on board. While health authorities tout the vaccine's benefits, some researchers are urging the government to completely reject the vaccine, citing concerns about its potential impact on fertility. Others have questioned whether Namibia has done its own local research, or if this decision is based purely on recommendations from the World Health Organization.
Joining us now to break it all down is Walters Kamaya, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Health and Social Services, to help us understand the ministry’s position and clarify any concerns.