Picture: Nurses vaccinating female learners/Supplied
By BAKANG MOKOTO
8 April 2026 – In the ongoing efforts to protect girls from cervical cancer, the Northern Cape Department of Health, in collaboration with the Department of Education and the Department of Social Development, embarked on the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign from 2 February to 27 March 2026 across the province. The department said administration of a single dose HPV vaccine targeted all learner girls in Grade 5 in public, special and private schools with the aim of protecting girls at an early age against HPV-related diseases later in life.
The Northern Cape Department of Health spokesperson, Lebogang Majaha said in respect to the province, a total of 399 public schools, and 38 private schools were covered targeting 11 900 learners. Majaha said furthermore, the department commits to conducting catch-up vaccination for learners, who may have missed vaccination during the February and March 2026, also targeting private and independent schools from 3 August to 25 September 2026.
“The department emphasises that parental or guardian consent is mandatory. By vaccinating learners at a young age, the programme reduces the risk of cervical and other HPV-related cancers in adulthood, strengthens preventive healthcare and long-term wellbeing and contributes to lowering cancer-related illness and deaths in South Africa.
“Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a common virus that can cause cervical cancer later in adulthood, most notably cervical cancer, as well as other cancers affecting both women and men. HPV is preventable through safe and effective vaccination given before exposure to the virus,” he said.
Majaha further said in a recent report released by the national department of health, over 5700 cases of cervical cancer are reported each year in the country. He added that in line with 2030 PILLAR 2 of cervical cancer screening that requires 70% of women screened for cervical cancer, the department has screened 16,142 women in 2025 of which 1,352 were diagnosed with various stages of cancer.
“The Northern Cape Department of Health reassures parents and guardians that the HPV vaccine is safe, effective, and approved for use in South Africa, and will be administered by trained healthcare professionals,” said Majaha.
The Guardian 