Human Papilomavirus vaccination starting in schools

Lusanda Bill
10 March 2014

The Western Cape Department of Health together with the National Department of Health will from today until the middle of April be vaccinating all girls in grade 4 against Human Papilomavirus. 

The HPV will be given to girls who are 9-years and older and who attend a public or special school. 

Departmental Spokesperson in the Cape Winelands Jo-Anne Otto said what is important is that the vaccination protects the girls from being infected by HPV and thus reduces the risk of developing HPV related cervical cancer later in life.

Otto said cervical cancer is the second most prevalent cancer among women after breast cancer.