Lesotho’s Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine programme, once a standard part of the public health services, is now the centre of a fierce debate over safety concerns.

This after a member of parliament demanded that the government stops the vaccine’s distribution among girls between nine and 14 years, citing health risks and hazards.

Fears and concerns over the HPV vaccine’s risks have left Remaketse Sehlabaka, proportional representation member of Mpulule Political Summit, and other parents alike, feeling uneasy about the side effects of the vaccine.

They have voiced concerns over the potential side effects of the vaccine, claiming that it compromises the girls’ immune system, making children more vulnerable to other diseases, and posing serious health risks.

The HPV vaccine programme was initiated by the ministry of health with support from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and other partners, in 2022, in efforts to curb cervical cancer.

Since the introduction of the vaccine in Lesotho, the country has achieved remarkable success, vaccinating 139, 621 girls aged between nine and 14, which represents 93 percent of the nationwide population in that age group.

Despite the significant strides made by the vaccination programme, a storm is brewing over its continued use, led by Sehlabaka who is also a member of the parliamentary social cluster committee mandated to oversee the accountability of the ministry of health of health among others, including their supervision, investigation and even recommending restructuring if there is a need.

Although he has brought the matter to parliament by filing a motion to stop the vaccination programme that has now covered a broader section of the targeted group, the legislature has not yet scheduled a date for debating the issue, leaving his concerns unaddressed.

According to Sehlabaka, based on his knowledge and findings during the parliamentary social cluster committee’s inspection visits to the health facilities countrywide, the vaccine poses significant health risks to children and deterioration in patients’ health. He claims the vaccine affects the immune system negatively, similar to the alleged effects of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Sehlabaka argues that administering the HPV vaccine to young girls, who are not sexually active, is inappropriate, as the vaccine targets a virus typically transmitted through sexual intercourse. He fears that the vaccine may adversely affect the reproductive system, particularly the womb of these young recipients.

Sehlabaka asserts that cancer is primarily caused by lifestyle factors, making the HPV vaccine unnecessary. Instead, he advocates for healthier eating habits, including avoidance of genetically modified foods, as a more appropriate way to combat cancer in the population.

He believes that education about healthy diets and lifestyle choices would be a more effective means for combating cancers than widespread vaccination.

In a strong indictment of the HPV vaccine, Sehlabaka noted: “Cancer is largely preventable if we promote healthy lifestyle. We should be teaching our children about the importance of eating nutritious, organic foods not injecting them with questionable vaccines. Let’s focus on prevention through education, not risk their health with a rushed solution.

“Cancer is out of control because these vaccines have weakened the immune system of our children. We see more young people affected by cancer than ever before. This is a result of our hasty push for vaccination.”

One of the girls who have received the HPV vaccine is Rethabile Masiu, a 14-year-old girl from Ha ‘Masana, Maseru.

Her mother, ‘Malebakeng expressed concern over her daughter’s deteriorating health after she received the HPV vaccine, at school when she was just 10 or 11.

According to ‘Malebakeng, Rethabile experiences longer and heavier periods, extreme fatigue, and pain resembling period pains even when she is not on her periods, symptoms which began shortly after receiving the HPV vaccine.

‘Malebakeng further explained that after her daughter received the second dose of the vaccine and experienced similar symptoms, she took her to the Mazenod Health Centre.

There, a nurse recognised the symptoms as potential side effects of the HPV vaccine and confirmed that Rethabile’s health issues were likely related to the vaccine.

This only heightened her fears and concerns about the potential long-term consequences of the HPV vaccine for her daughter.

Having witnessed the adverse effects of the HPV vaccine on her daughter, ‘Malebakeng is now staunchly opposed to the vaccine.

“I cannot recommend the HPV vaccine to any parent,” she vowed.

“It contains a form of the HPV virus itself and if the children are not eating a healthy diet, their bodies are already compromised by the virus. The risks are simply too great,” ‘Malebakeng noted.

She firmly believes that using the vaccines that contain the very same virus they aim to prevent is not a viable solution to the problem of infectious diseases.

“How can a vaccine that has the same virus be a good solution?” she equipped.

Adding to ‘Malebakeng’s apprehension is the fact that the HPV vaccine is administered to children without the input or approval of their parents.

“It is deeply troubling that our children are being vaccinated without our knowledge and consent. My daughter came home from school one day and told me she had already been vaccinated and was asked to bring her health booklet the next day.

“How can the government make such decisions for our children without involving us as parents?”

While some parents remain unconvinced by the HPV vaccine, health minister Selibe Mochoboroane is urging the public to accept the vaccination programme.

During a recent visit to Tšehlanyane, Leribe, Mochoboroane pleaded with parents to set aside their personal beliefs and allow their children to receive the vaccine.

He implored parents to think of the future consequences of withholding the vaccine from their children.

“It would be tragic if children develop cancer at a later stage, when it could have been prevented earlier with a vaccine. The consequences of contracting HPV-related cancer far outweigh any side adverse effects of the vaccine.

Mochoboroane emphasised that early detection of cancer is crucial for effective treatment and survival. When cancer is detected early, he said, it can often be prevented from becoming life-threatening.

“But if we wait until it’s too late, the consequences can be devastating for the patient and their loved ones. The HPV vaccine offers us an option to prevent cervical cancer before it ever has a chance to take hold.

“The time to act is now. We cannot afford to gamble with our children’s health. The HPV vaccine offers us a unique opportunity to prevent a deadly cancer; I urge every parent to take advantage of this. Together we can protect our daughters and give them a future free from the threat of cervical cancer,” he added.

According to the Human Papilomavirus and Related Cancers, Fact Sheet of 2023, about 3.2 percent of women in the general population in the country are estimated to harbour cervical HPV-16/18 infections at any given time, while 62.5 percent of invasive cervical cancers are attributed to HPVs 16/18.

The report shows that cervical cancer ranks as the most ubiquitous cancer among women between 15 to 44 years of age in the country, and is also one of the leading causes of death among women.

At least 362 of 541 women diagnosed with cervical cancer annually die from the scourge. Further Lesotho has 771, 897 women aged 15 years and older who are at risk of developing cervical cancer, according to the report.