Round 2 of HPV Vaccination | Western Cape Government

News

News

Round 2 of HPV Vaccination

13 September 2017

Western Cape Government Health teams will as from 22 August 2017 start visiting all Grade 4 girls who are nine years old and attending public schools to administer the second dose of the vaccine that prevents Human Papilloma-virus (HPV) related cervical cancer.  The first dose was given during round 1 of the campaign in February of this year. 

This second round may seem a little confusing to some parents, as they might not be aware that some vaccines, including the HPV Vaccine, require more than one dose to ensure protection. It is very important that when required, the follow-up dose of any vaccination is administered at the correct time, in the correct quantity.  Should the body not have developed enough antibodies from the first dose; the second will help the body to do so. This is why the second dose of any vaccine is so often referred to as the ‘booster’ dose.  

The HPV Vaccine is administered by a qualified professional nurse by injection to the upper arm, besides a little bit of tenderness at the site of the injection there are no other side effects. The lack of signed and returned consent forms from parents and caregivers allowing us to administer vaccinations and/or do general health assessments of school going children remain one of the biggest challenges that Western Cape School Health nurses experience in the field.   We can only offer health services to your child with your signed permission. 

If your Grade 4 daughter was not yet nine years old in February 2017, and therefore did not receive the vaccine during the first round, she will be vaccinated with her first dose during this round and her second during round 1 of 2017. Allowing your child to be vaccinated as part of the school health programme, makes it a lot easier for you as a parent; as you need not take any other time or stay out of work to take your child to the clinic or GP for their vaccines.

Vaccination is safe and a preventative precaution; in other words, just like eating healthily to prevent the health issues that come with obesity, so too vaccination is a very effective way of preventing illnesses that not only cause great discomfort, but can lead to death.

The campaign runs from 22 August until 29 September 2017

Photos:

  1. Professional Nurses administer the vaccine
  2. Sr Zelda Pretorius during Round 1 at Overhex Primary
  3. Proud as punch with our signed consent Forms

For more information please visit our web page:

www.westerncape.gov.za

Facts about cancer of the cervix in South Africa:

  • HPV is a viral infection that can cause cervical cancer. This vaccination prevents the infection of HPV in girls.
  • Cancer of the cervix is the second most prevalent cancer in women in South Africa.
  • Cervical Cancer is a leading cause of death among women
  • There are over 80 strains of HPV, some of these are harmless, such as the strains that cause warts on the hands and knees of children.
  • HPV is 100% responsible for cervical cancer – the most virulent strains of HPV are Types 16 and 18, which accounts 70% of all cervical cancers.
  • Although HPV is contracted through sex; it is possible to contract HPV even if your only have one sexual partner.
  • Ceravix® is the vaccination that will be used. It needs to be administered twice with a six-month interval between dosages.
  • Girls must receive BOTH dosages to ensure affectivity. The vaccine is most effective if administered at 9 years of age.  There are almost no or only very mild side effects.
Media Enquiries: 

Jo-Anne Otto
Principal Communications Officer: Cape Winelands District       
WESTERN CAPE GOVERNMENT HEALTH 
Tel: +27 23 348 8100
Cell: 072 8080 106
E-mail: Jo-Anne.Otto@westerncape.gov.za