Nearly 37 000 Western Cape girls vaccinated against HPV
Nearly 37,000 Grade 5 girls in South Africa's Western Cape have received the HPV vaccine to prevent cervical cancer. Health officials are now launching a new round of vaccinations, including TDaP boosters for all students.
Why it matters
Public health initiatives targeting cancer prevention and disease outbreaks are critical for long-term population health outcomes.
Almost 37 000 Grade 5 girls in the Western Cape have received the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine in the first half of 2026, a vital measure in the fight against cervical cancer.
As the next school-based vaccination round commences, parents and caregivers are urged to ensure that over 14 000 more eligible learners capitalize on this opportunity to safeguard their futures.
According to recent statistics, a total of 36 841 Grade 5 girls from both public and special schools received the vaccine aimed at preventing cervical cancer, which is the second most prevalent cancer among women in South Africa.
HPV is the leading cause of this disease, making the vaccination crucial for long-term health.
Western Cape Minister of Health and Wellness, Mireille Wenger, has been proactive in encouraging parents to be vigilant for consent forms from their children’s schools and to take decisive action in protecting their daughters.
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