The Gauteng Department of Health has urged parents, caregivers and guardians to sign and return consent forms for the upcoming Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign after more than 24,000 forms were not returned during the previous campaign, affecting vaccine uptake in some schools.
The department said several challenges affected vaccine uptake, particularly in independent schools.Â
These included schools declining access to vaccination teams, learner absenteeism on vaccination days, which affected 1,830 learners, and the non-return of 24,327 parental consent forms.
According to the department, the campaign, which forms part of the Integrated School Health Programme (ISHP), will run from August 3 to October 9, 2026 at participating independent primary schools across Gauteng.
“Thereafter, vaccination teams will visit outstanding public primary and special schools to reach eligible learners who may have been missed during the earlier campaign, as the majority of public schools were covered during the rollout conducted earlier this year,” said department spokesperson Steve Mabona.
He said the HPV vaccine will be offered to all eligible Grade 5 girls aged 9 years and older, including learners who may have missed previous vaccination opportunities.
“A single dose of the vaccine provides effective protection against HPV infection and significantly reduces the risk of developing cervical cancer later in life.”
“Cervical cancer, also known as cancer of the cervix, remains one of the most common cancers affecting women in South Africa.”
However, Mabona said it is largely preventable through HPV vaccination and regular cervical cancer screening.
“HPV is a common virus that affects both males and females. While more than 200 types of HPV exist, types 16 and 18 are responsible for over 70% of cervical cancer cases.”
“The HPV vaccine used in the public health programme, Cervarix, is safe and highly effective in protecting against these high-risk strains.”
Mabona said the department’s HPV Vaccination Campaign achieved significant reach across public and independent schools during the 2025/26 implementation period.
He said of the 1,500 targeted public schools, 1,498 were reached, resulting in 72,249 Grade 5 girls being vaccinated.
Mabona said that in the independent school sector, 530 of the 664 targeted schools were reached (79.8%), with 9,740 Grade 5 girls vaccinated.
“Public schools recorded a learner coverage rate of 80%, compared to 37.7% in independent schools.”
Several challenges, he said, affected vaccine uptake, particularly in independent schools.
“These included schools declining access to vaccination teams, learner absenteeism on vaccination days, which affected 1,830 learners, and the non-return of 24,327 parental consent forms.”
According to Mabona, misinformation and vaccine hesitancy also contributed to lower vaccination rates in some schools.
However, he said that to address these barriers, the department, in collaboration with the Gauteng Department of Education, has strengthened stakeholder engagement, intensified community education efforts and enhanced collaboration with schools to improve participation and vaccine uptake.
“A recent study published in The Lancet Global Health found that South Africa’s school-based HPV vaccination programme reduced infections caused by HPV types 16 and 18 by 83% among young women, including those living with HIV.”
He said the findings demonstrate the substantial public health benefits of achieving high HPV vaccination coverage.
“The success of this campaign depends on parental and community support.”
“No learner will be vaccinated without a signed consent form.”
However, learners aged 12 years and older may provide their own consent in accordance with national health guidelines.
“The department nevertheless encourages parents and caregivers to remain actively involved in this important health intervention.”
“Parents and guardians are urged to read the information provided by schools, complete the consent forms and return them promptly to ensure eligible learners do not miss the opportunity to receive protection against cervical cancer,” Mabona added.
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Simon Majadibodu
iol.co.za
