National launch of the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccination campaign
The Minister of Health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi and Deputy Minister of Basic Education, Mr Enver Surty will launch an HPV vaccination campaign in South Africa in order to protect girls from getting cervical cancer caused by Human Papilloma Virus. Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer among women in South Africa.
From 10 March 2014 all grade four girls who are nine years and older will be provided with the opportunity to receive the HPV vaccination at schools. Each girl will receive two doses of the HPV vaccination; the first dose will be in March/April and the second dose in September/October.
HPV vaccination teams will visit schools during these two periods to vaccinate the girls that are eligible for the vaccination.
Details of the launch are as follows:
Date: 12 March 2014
Time: 09:00 Vaccinations start
09:30-10:00 Media briefing
10:00-11:00 Launch of the HPV Campaign
Venue: Gonyane Primary School, 6593 Dr. Lebona Street, Phahameng Bloemfontein, Free State
Members of the media are requested to send their details for accreditation purposes to Nombulelo Leburu at nombul@health.gov.za/ 012 953 8495/ 082 444 9503
For more information, please contact
Minister’s Spokesperson:
Joe Maila
Cell: 082 887 3581
National Department’s spokesperson
Popo Maja
Cell: 072 585 3219
