Gauteng schools start HPV campaign for Grade 5 girls

The Gauteng Department of Health has launched a Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination programme.

According to spokesperson Kealeboga Mohajane, cancer prevention is extremely important, and the HPV vaccination can protect girls from developing cervical cancer later in life.

“Unfortunately, this disease continues to claim the lives of women due to missed opportunities for early prevention. Vaccinating girls against HPV before the age of 15 significantly reduces their lifetime risk of developing cervical cancer,” she said.

The vaccination campaign began on February 2 and will run until March 31 in all public primary schools and special schools under the Integrated School Health Programme. Eligible Grade Five girls aged nine and older will receive a single dose of the vaccine, which provides lifelong protection against high-risk HPV strains linked to cervical cancer.

“To ensure the success of the campaign, we encourage parents, caregivers, and legal guardians to ensure that consent forms are signed and returned to schools, enabling school healthcare teams to reach every eligible learner. No child will be screened or vaccinated without a signed consent form,” Mohajane said.

She explained that, although learners over 12 can legally consent to the vaccine themselves, parental involvement is strongly encouraged to ensure the success of this life-saving initiative.

“The HPV vaccination programme is part of a broader Provincial Cancer Plan, which prioritises prevention, early detection, and improved access to cancer care, in line with the constitutional obligation to progressively realise the right to healthcare,” she concluded.