HPV campaign for 2017 just started
The campaign has been undertaken annually to protect South African girls against cancer of the cervix.
THE City of Johannesburg Health Department together with the Gauteng Department of Health will be embarking on a campaign to provide the human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccine to school-going girls.
The campaign, which started in 2014, has been undertaken annually under the theme: “Protecting South African Girls against Cancer of the Cervix”.
The vaccine is administered in a schedule of two doses at six-month intervals. It is aimed at young girls in Grade Four who are nine years or older.
The campaign takes place in all public schools, including special schools.
The first dose was administered on Tuesday, February 21.
The campaign runs until Tuesday, March 28 and will include deworming.
The second dose will be administered from Tuesday, August 22, to Wednesday, September 27.
The purpose of this intervention is to prevent cervical cancer and protect learners against worm infestations.
Almost 80 per cent of cervical cancers are caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV).
The virus can infect the genital area and cause a genital wart or cervical and other cancers.
The vaccination prevents the virus from developing in the cervix.
“The City of Johannesburg’s Department of Health officials will visit public and special education schools during the campaign to administer free HPV vaccination to girls in Grade Four. According to the National Cancer Registry, cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women in South Africa, and as the city we are committed to ensuring that our young girls receive the care they deserve, in order to prevent cervical cancer,” said MMC for Health and Social Development Clr Mpho Phalatse.
Educators supported by professional nurses will administer deworming treatment to learners from grades R to Seven in quintile one to three schools.
“Parents need to ensure that they have signed and returned the consent forms which they will receive from the school that their child attends. No learner will be vaccinated without parental consent,” said Dr Mary Daka, deputy director for public health in the City of Johannesburg.
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