BREAST and cervical cancer remain the second leading causes of deaths among women in South Africa, more especially among adolescents and women aged 15 to 44.
This is according to the United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef), who said over 70% of cervical cancer cases are caused by the infection to the cervix (mouth of the womb) by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), which is sexually transmitted.
To ensure that girls are and remain protected against cervical cancer later in life, Unicef said it was important that they get the HPV vaccine between the ages of 9 and 15, before they are sexually active.
The Gauteng Department of Health has heeded to the call and was now currently running the HPV vaccination first round campaign in all public primary and special schools in in the province.
According to the health department spokesman Motalatale Modiba, this campaign commenced on 5 February and would end on 20 March 2024.
“The campaign is mainly targeted at grade 5 girls aged from nine years and above, and are vaccinated with a single dose of the Cervarix HPV Vaccine, which is very safe and effective in preventing the HPV infection caused by type 16 and 18 HPV strains,” he said.
Modiba said their previous vaccination drive in September to October 2023 saw a total of 74 359 out of 87 910 grade 5 girls being fully vaccinated.
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However, unlike in the previous years, Modiba said the vaccine is now administered in a single dose instead of two.
A cervical cancer survivor and mother of a nine-year-old girl, Matshidiso Luta (39) from Vereeniging, said she was pleased that she received the consent form and gave permission for the school health team to administer the HPV vaccine on her daughter.
He child was among those who will also receive the HPV vaccine.
“I feel very blessed and relieved knowing that my daughter will get the HPV vaccine to protect her against cervical cancer. I don't want to see her go through the same stressful, difficult and painful time I went through during my battle with the disease,” said Matshidiso sad.
Meanwhile the MEC for Health and Wellness, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko appealed to parents, caregivers and legal guardians who have not yet signed the consent form to do so to ensure that their children do not miss out on the HPV single dose vaccination campaign.
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