Public schools learners in Midrand will receive HPV and Td vaccines to prevent infections
HPV vaccine helps prevent infection and protect girls against cervical cancer caused by human papillomavirus types 16 and 18.
Learners from several public primary schools in Midrand will receive the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination starting September 1 to October 31.
The Gauteng Department of Health has announced that the second leg of the HPV vaccination has started and parents are encouraged to sign the consent form to ensure that their children do not miss out on the HPV and diphtheria (Td) vaccination drives.
The aim of the HPV vaccine is to help prevent infection and protect girls against the human papillomavirus type 16 and 18 that can cause cervical cancer later in life.
During this second phase, nurses will also administer an additional booster dose of tetanus and a reduced amount of Td vaccine to all Grade 5 girls and boys to prevent disease outbreaks among learners and communities. Girls will be given two injections – HPV and Td.
The Td vaccine is given to prevent diphtheria disease outbreaks that may not show or can present as a sore throat among learners, and it is given to prevent tetanus which can cause stiffening of muscles that can lead to serious health problems.
Consent forms signed by parents will also be used for routine health assessments as part of the Integrated School Health Programme that includes the provision of health education, eye, ear, oral assessments, catch-up immunisations, and deworming.
Related Article:
