Grade Four girls attending in public schools have been given a fighting chance against cervical cancer, through the human papillomavirus (HPV)vaccinations.
On Thursday Iphahamiseng Primary School in Duduza, was visited by health workers as part of the nation wide programme, launched last month and running until end of April.
Girls aged between nine and 12 years old are targeted for the vaccine which protects them from the sexually transmitted infection (HPV), which is a leading cause of cervical cancer.
According to Simon Zwane, spokesman of the Gauteng Department of Health, this is the first time that such medication is available in the public sector, as it is was previously only offered in the private sector.
Explaining why they opted to introduce the vaccine to Grade four learners, Zwane said, “science has showed that it is better to vaccinate the girls before they reach puberty, because it increases the effectiveness of the vaccine.”
A brief discussion explaining the process and purpose of the vaccination to the girls is presented by a health promoter before the vaccination starts.
Learners where given consent forms to be signed by parents and guardians, giving permission for the child to be vaccinated.
The girls will be given a second dose of the vaccine later this year.
