Health department extends HPV school vaccination drive
The initiative protects young girls from developing cervical cancer and was meant to cover all the schools before March 31.
The provincial human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination drive has been extended to April 26 due to the ongoing measles outbreak
This Department of Health initiative protects young girls from developing cervical cancer and was meant to cover all the schools before March 31.
“The department appeals to parents, caregivers and legal guardians who have not yet signed the consent form, to do so to ensure that their children do not miss out on HPV vaccination,” the department said via a released statement.
There are currently over 200 types of HPVs and, according to the department, research has shown that types 16 and 18 make up 70% of cervical cancer cases.
The vaccine is said to be safe and effective at combatting these two types of HPV infections.
“A consent form that is signed at the beginning of the year is valid for the whole year. It’s important that all parents and guardians tick the boxes on the consent form for their child to be screened and vaccinated. This consent form will also be used for routine health assessments as part of the integrated school health programme (ISHP),” the department continued.
Parents of girls currently in grades 5-9 are urged to sign up their children as early detection and preemptive measures are said to be the strongest methods in defeating cancer.
The department says that the ISHP provides health education, eye, ear and oral assessments, catch-up immunisations, deworming and identifying any other health barriers that can affect a child’s education.
The department previously announced that the second dose of the HPV vaccine would be given between September 2 and October 31.
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