As part of our Integrated School Health Programme (ISHP) to mobilise communities to support the inoculation of children for Human Pappilomavirus and Measles, the Northern Cape Health MEC, Mr Maruping Lekwene and Education MEC, Mr Zolile Monakali conducted an oversight visit to monitor the vaccination programme at Hantam High School in the Hantam local Municipality. Bivalent HPV vaccine is administered to all grade 5 girls aged 9 and above using 2 dose schedule in six months apart. The rationale is to protect the girl child from contracting Cervical cancer caused by the Human Papilloma Viruses 16 and 18 in the later stages of their life.
The HPV campaign commenced on the 20th February and expect to run until 31st March 2023. It runs concurrently with Measles vaccination to allow the department to reach all the children targeted.
In respect to HPV learner coverage in our province, the department targets 11 000 learners (80%) in 401 schools. In terms of Measles coverage, a total of 393 310 children (95%) aged 6 months to 15 years are targeted in the province and a catch-up programme is also done on Vitamin A and deworming for children who missed their routine dose.Both the MECs of Health and Education expressed their heartfelt thanks to the teachers and health team for their hard work, dedication and most importantly, for the collaboration. They further thanked the parents and legal guardians for their positive response in prioritising the health of their children.