Halfway House Primary School principal Silas Pillay said that 91 girls were vaccinated on the day. “As school staff we were pleased with the process of administration with the Department of Health in administering the vaccine. The process was done in a pupil-friendly manner and did not disrupt any learning on the day.”
Pillay confirmed that consent forms were sent to parents and guardians prior to the vaccination.
Member of the Mayoral Committee for Health and Social Development in the City of Johannesburg, councillor Nonceba Molwele, said the campaign was launched to vaccinate young girls in Grade 4 who are nine to 12 years old in all public and special needs schools. The vaccination prevents the infection of the cervix by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV).
Councillor Molwele added that 80 percent of cervical cancers are caused by HPV.
The first dose of the vaccine was administered from 10 March to 11 April; the second dose will be administered from 29 September to 24 October.
