The Gauteng Department of Health has called on parents, caregivers and legal guardians to support the province’s latest Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign by signing and returning consent forms to schools to ensure eligible learners receive the life-saving vaccine.
The campaign, which forms part of the Integrated School Health Programme (ISHP), will run from 3 August to 9 October 2026 at participating independent primary schools across Gauteng. Vaccination teams will thereafter visit outstanding public primary and special schools to reach eligible learners who may have missed earlier vaccination opportunities.
The department said the HPV vaccine will be offered to all eligible Grade 5 girls aged nine years and older, including those who were unable to receive the vaccine during previous campaigns. A single dose provides effective protection against HPV infection and significantly reduces the risk of developing cervical cancer later in life.
“Cervical cancer, also known as cancer of the cervix, remains one of the most common cancers affecting women in South Africa. However, it is largely preventable through HPV vaccination and regular cervical cancer screening,” the department said.
The department explained that HPV is a common virus affecting both males and females, with types 16 and 18 responsible for more than 70% of cervical cancer cases. It added that the vaccine used in the public health programme, Cervarix, is safe and highly effective in protecting against these high-risk strains.
According to the department, the 2025/26 HPV vaccination campaign achieved significant reach across public and independent schools. Of the 1 500 targeted public schools, 1 498 were reached, resulting in 72 249 Grade 5 girls being vaccinated. In the independent school sector, 530 of the 664 targeted schools were reached, with 9 740 learners vaccinated. Public schools recorded an 80% learner coverage rate, compared to 37.7% in independent schools.
However, the department acknowledged that vaccine uptake was affected by several challenges, particularly in independent schools. These included schools declining access to vaccination teams, learner absenteeism on vaccination days, and unsigned or unreturned consent forms.
The Gauteng Department of Health has encouraged parents and guardians to submit signed consent forms on time to ensure eligible learners are protected against HPV and to help reduce the burden of cervical cancer in the province.
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