Grade 5 Girls:

The Department of Health is serious about improving the health of women. Health campaigns, free services and vaccinations such as the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination all form part of our efforts to improve the health of all women in the Western Cape.

HPV is responsible for 99% of cervical cancer cases. For this reason, health officials have been visiting public and special schools across the province to administer the HPV vaccinations.

When must my daughter be vaccinated?

To provide the best protection against the HPV, 2 doses of the vaccine need to be administered.

Why is the HPV vaccination necessary?

HPV is the virus that causes cervical cancer. Cervical cancer is the second most prevalent cancer among women after breast cancer. Over 99% of all cervical cancers are caused by persistent infection of high risk types of HPV.

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 signed consent form needs to be returned back to school to indicate whether or not you would like your daughter to be vaccinated. Should you choose not to give your consent, please return the consent form with a supporting letter stating your reasons. 

The HPV vaccine is an investment in the future health of South African women. The vaccination is administered by a professional team who’ll visit all public schools in the province. The vaccination 

Grade R, 6 and 7:

The TD dose at 6 & 12 years is a new addition to the schedule. It is to ensure

the correct number of tetanus toxoid doses and a long enough interval between

doses, thus allowing maximum duration of protection against tetanus, which is

expected to be lifelong. Tetanus is a condition that is caused by tetanus germs (spores). 

The Td vaccine is safe and effective. The potential risks associated with

the natural infections of tetanus and diphtheria is much greater than the

potential risks that may be associated with the administration of the Td

vaccine. The National Department of Health would like to encourage and urge

parents and caregivers to ensure that their children are fully immunized

against childhood vaccine preventable diseases, and to report any cases of

neonatal tetanus at the nearest health facility.

The signed consent form needs to be returned back to school to indicate whether or not you would like your child to be vaccinated. Should you choose not to give your consent, please return the consent form with a supporting letter stating your reasons.