Young girls to get HPV vaccinations
The vaccine can prevent most cases of the cancer and is expected to be a lasting protection.
MORE than 7 700 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer in South Africa each year, with more than 4 000 of these ending in death.
Cervical cancer is caused by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), the most common viral infection of the reproductive tract.
In a bid to mitigate its impact, the KZN Department of Health (DoH), in partnership with the KZN Department of Basic Education (DoE), is embarking on a massive campaign between 3 and 28 August to provide the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine to schoolgirls aged nine and 10.
The vaccine can prevent most cases of the cancer and is expected to be a lasting protection.
However, vaccinated women will still need cervical cancer screening as the vaccine does not protect against all HPV types.
The introduction of the vaccine is a significant public health milestone for the province, expected to significantly contribute to the control of cancer and reduce its associated mortality.
The KZN MEC for Health, Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo, has called on parents to join the fight against cervical cancer by signing up for the vaccination.
‘The purpose is to implement one of the four basic components of cervical cancer control, which is primary prevention,’ he said.
As part of raising awareness on cervical cancer, Dhlomo launched the ‘Phila Ma’ campaign, aiming to assist women in accessing breast and cervical cancer screening, health education and other services.
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