All Grade 4 girls in public schools in Standerton and surrounding farm schools, are to be vaccinated for cervical cancer.
The first round will be from 10 March to 11 April and the second round from 29 September to 31 October.
To benefit from this programme, a consent form will be provided and parents or caregivers have to sign it.
The schools will distribute these forms before vaccination begins.
According to the Minister of Health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, this will become an annual event in public schools.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) announced that since last year, it has become possible to vaccinate against the human papillomavirus (HPV) that causes most cases of cervical cancer.
Although the vaccine is approved for women up to the age of 26, it is generally considered to be best administered at the age of nine to 13 years, before girls become sexually active and potentially exposed to HPV.
According to statistics, cervical cancer is the second type of cancer threat that causes about 3 500 deaths annually.
Cansa will release a press release next week.
HPV infections are common and the risk factors for HPV infection include:
• Age – common warts occur most often in children and adolescents, while plantar warts may occur in adults, which are more likely to initially surface during childhood.
Genital warts occur most often in adolescents and young adults.
• Weakened immune systems – people who have weakened immune systems are at greater risk of HPV infections.
Immune systems can be weakened by HIV/AIDS or by immune system-suppressing drugs used after organ transplants.
• Damaged skin – areas of skin that have been punctured or opened are more prone to develop common warts.
For example, people who bite their fingernails are more likely to develop warts around their fingernails.
• Personal contact – touching someone’s warts or not wearing protection before contacting surfaces that have been exposed to HPV, such as public showers or swimming pools, may increase one’s risk of HPV infection.
• Number of sexual partners – the greater your number of sexual partners, the more likely you are to contract a genital HPV infection.
Having sex with a partner who has had multiple sex partners also increases your risk.
