Gauteng-wide HPV vaccination campaign underway
JOBURG – The vaccination campaign targets Grade 4 girls in public and special needs schools.
A provincial biannual vaccination campaign by the Gauteng Department of Health and Education is still in full swing, targeting Grade 4 girls in public primary and special needs schools.
“As part of an ongoing campaign to protect girls against cervical cancer, the [departments] have rolled out a provincial second dose vaccination campaign to protect girls from being infected with Human Papillomavirus (HPV) type 16 and 18,” Gauteng Healths spokesperson, Steve Mabona, said.
This marks the second phase of the vaccination that started from 2 August and will run until 6 September. The first phase ran from February till March this year.
Mabona said that all the girls who received their first HPV dose, most effective when given to young girls who have not yet engaged in sexual activities, in September last year are now due for their second dose. Mabone also said the dose acts as a prevention rather than a cure for HPV.
The Gauteng Department of Health MEC Qedani Mahlangu said no pupils will me immunised without signing a consent form.
“The department urges all parents and care givers to cooperate and sign the consent form to allow their children to be immunised,” he said.
Tell us, has your child been vaccinated yet? Let us know by tweeting to @randburg_sun/@newsNMT/ @RoodepoortNorth
Find out more about HPV:
Details: Gauteng Department of Health on 011 355 3000 or the Gauteng Department of Education on 011 355 0000
