Health workers from the City of Joburg’s Health Department are continuing a mission to safeguard the health of female learners across public primary and special schools with the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine. The annual campaign, initiated in 2014, is a collaborative effort between the City of Johannesburg, the Gauteng Department of Health, and the Basic Education Department. With a goal of vaccinating 90% of girls, the Department of Health aims to curb cervical cancer incidence. Administered early, the HPV vaccine offers crucial protection against cervical cancer, especially when given before the age of 15. Starting in 2024, eligible girls aged 9 and above will receive a single dose of the vaccine, with the drive running until March 20 2024.

Statistics reveal that 80% of sexually active individuals will contract HPV in their lifetime, leading to around 9,000 new cervical cancer cases annually in Southern Africa. However, cervical cancer is entirely preventable.

Parents and caregivers will receive consent forms from schools, ensuring that no learner is vaccinated without parental approval. 

?MMC for Health and Social, Cllr Ennie Makhafola, urges all guardians to support health workers by endorsing the consent forms, emphasizing the importance of prevention in fighting cervical cancer.

“Cervical cancer is the only type of cancer that is 100% preventable. Parents and caregivers will receive the consent forms from schools, which should be signed and returned to the schools. No learner will be vaccinated without parental consent,” emphasizes Dawn Kgaje, the Public Health Manager at the City’s Health Department.

Written by Ayanda Radebe

04/03/2024

To stay informed about the latest developments in the City, connect with us:

Joburg Pulse Radio: