Vaccine campaign to tackle cervical cancer
JOBURG - In a move to combat the risk of cervical cancer, thousands of school-going girls will receive the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine.
The campaign, aimed to prevent the virus that causes cervical and other cancers, is being undertaken by the City of Johannesburg and the Gauteng Department of Health.
The campaign, Protecting South African Girls against Cancer of the Cervix, will target girls in all public and special needs schools aged from nine to 12 years old.
The free vaccine will be administered in two doses at a six-month interval with the first dose (HPV1) being administered from 10 March -11 April and the second dose (HPV2) administered from 29 September – 24 October.
According to the city council, about 29 700 pupils in 484 primary schools in Johannesburg are expected to receive the vaccine, which prevents infections of the cervix caused by HPV.
Almost 80 percent of cervical cancers are caused by HPV, which can infect the genital area and cause conditions ranging from genital warts to cervical and other cancers.
MMC for Health and Social Development Nonceba Molwele, said parents were required to sign and return the consent forms granting permission for their child to receive the vaccine to their child’s school.
