The Gauteng Department of Health has rolled out its Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign at participating independent primary schools across the province.
The campaign, which forms part of the Integrated School Health Programme (ISHP), will run from 3 August to 9 October 2026.
The department has, meanwhile, called on parents, caregivers and legal guardians to support the campaign by signing and returning consent forms to schools to ensure eligible learners receive this life-saving vaccine.
“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 most public schools were covered during the rollout conducted earlier this year.
“The HPV vaccine will be offered to all eligible Grade 5 girls aged nine years and older, including learners who may have missed previous vaccination opportunities,” said department spokesperson Steve Mabona.
According to Mabona, a single dose of the vaccine provides effective protection against HPV infection and significantly reduces the risk of developing cervical cancer later in life.
The department highlighted that cervical cancer remains one of the most common cancers affecting women in South Africa.
However, Mabona emphasised that the disease 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 more than 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,” explained Mabona.
Mabona noted that the 2025/26 campaign achieved significant reach across public and independent schools.
The department reached 1,498 of the 1,500 targeted public schools, resulting in 72,249 Grade 5 girls being vaccinated.
In the independent school sector, 530 of the 664 targeted schools were reached (79.8%), with 9,740 Grade 5 girls vaccinated.
Mabona said the results showed that public schools recorded a learner coverage rate of 80%, compared with 37.7% in independent schools.
The spokesperson said several challenges 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.
“Misinformation and vaccine hesitancy also contributed to lower vaccination rates in some schools.
“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,” said Mabona.
The department also noted that 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.
Mabona stressed that the success of the campaign depends on parental and community support, adding that 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,” appealed Mabona.
