HPV second round: Protect her future | Western Cape Government

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HPV second round: Protect her future

6 August 2018

There are numerous things that we can do to protect our daughters – having them vaccinated against the human papillomavirus (HPV) is one of them. Western Cape Government Health is serious about the health of women. Health campaigns, free services and vaccinations such as the HPV vaccination all form part of our efforts to improve the health of all women in the Western Cape.  HPV is responsible for 99% of cervical cancer cases.

Western Cape Minister of Health, Dr Nomafrench Mbombo, stated:  ‘It is imperative that we encourage parents to vaccinate their daughters. Maternal and child health form part of the quadruple burden of disease. The focus is prevention and promotion rather than curative. That is why we appeal to all grade 4 girls to inform their parents, guardians and extended families that the vaccination is available.’

It has been four years since Western Cape Government Health has introduced the Cervarix® vaccine in March 2014.   

Health teams visited 1 106 schools during the first round of the campaign in March 2018 in which they administered the HPV vaccine to 41604. Girls who missed the opportunity in the first round due to absenteeism or being under the recommended age may now receive it in the 2nd round. Round 2 of the campaign runs from 7 August to 14 September 2018. Public and special schools across the Western Cape will be visited in an attempt to reach 90% of the 48 305 Grade 4 learners.

Parents and caregivers have an important decision to make when their daughter enters grade 4 as the vaccination is only administered for this age group and only girls with signed consent forms will receive the vaccination. 

Why vaccinate against HPV?

  • 2 strains of HPV (HPV-16 and HPV-18) are found to cause over 70% of the cervical cancer cases.
     
  • Cervarix® is the vaccination that will be administered in 2 doses for optimal cover. It protects against the HPV-16 and HPV-18 strains.
     
  • HPV causes cancerous cells to develop on the upper layers (called the cylinder epithelial) of the cervix. If left unchecked, the cells will grow into cancer, which will spread into the uterus and can spread to any other area of the body.

 The vaccination is administered by injection in two doses. The vaccine does not promote sexual promiscuity but will ensure that when girls reach adulthood they will be protected from developing cancer caused by HPV.

For more information, you can:

Media Enquiries: 

Nadia Ferreira
Communications Officer
Western Cape Government Health
Tel: 044 501 5751