Protect her future: round 2 of HPV vaccinations
There are numerous things that we can do to protect our daughters - having them vaccinated against the human papillomavirus (HPV) is one of them.
According to a statement by Western Cape Government Health, HPV is responsible for 99% of cervical cancer cases.
Western Cape Minister of Health, Dr Nomafrench Mbombo, encourages parents to have their daughters vaccinated. "It is imperative. Maternal and child health form part of the quadruple burden of disease. The focus is prevention and promotion rather than cure. That is why we appeal to all Grade 4 girls to inform their parents, guardians and extended families that the vaccination is available."
It has been four years since the Western Cape Health Department has introduced the Cervarix® vaccine. Health teams visited 1 106 schools during the first round of the campaign in March, administering the HPV vaccine to 41 604 girls.
Round 2 of vaccination programme
Girls who missed the opportunity in the first round due to absence or being under the recommended age may now receive it in the second round. Round two of the campaign runs from 7 August to 14 September. Public and special schools across the Western Cape will be visited in an attempt to reach 90% of the 48 305 Grade 4 girl learners.
"Parents and caregivers have an important decision to make when their daughter enters Grade 4 as the vaccination is only administered for this age group and only girls with signed consent forms will receive the vaccination," says Mbombo.
Why vaccinate against HPV?
Two strains of HPV (HPV-16 and HPV18) have been found to cause over 70% of cervical cancer cases. Cervarix® is the vaccination that will be administered in two doses for optimal cover. It protects against the HPV-16 and HPV18 strains.
HPV is an extremely common virus and it is estimated that approximately 80% of women will be infected with the virus some time during their life.
HPV causes cancerous cells to develop on the upper layers (called the cylinder epithelial) of the cervix. If left unchecked, the cells will grow into cancer, which will spread into the uterus and can spread to any other area of the body.
The vaccination protects girls from being infected by HPV and reduces the risk of developing HPV-related cervical cancer later in life. The younger your daughter is, the better her body's immune system can respond to the vaccine, resulting in the production of protective antibodies against the virus. The vaccination is administered by injection in two doses. The vaccine does not promote sexual promiscuity but will ensure that when girls reach adulthood they will be protected from developing cancer caused by HPV.