Western Cape girls receive HPV vaccine, next round scheduled for August
Nearly 37,000 Grade 5 girls in the Western Cape have received the human papillomavirus HPV vaccine this year. The Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness reported that 36,841 pupils in public and special schools were vaccinated during the first six months of 2026. The department is encouraging parents and caregivers of over 14,000 unvaccinated girls to utilize this free opportunity to protect against cervical cancer. The next school-based vaccination program will run from August 3 to September 23, 2026. Nurses will visit schools to administer free single-dose and catch-up HPV vaccines to eligible Grade 5 girls aged nine and older. Western Cape Minister of Health and Wellness Mireille Wenger emphasized the vaccine's role in preventing cervical cancer, which is the second most common cancer among South African women and often caused by HPV infection. The HPV vaccine is given in early adolescence for high effectiveness. Additionally, all Grade 5 boys and girls in public and private schools will be offered a Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis TDAP booster to prevent diphtheria outbreaks and renew protection against tetanus, diphtheria, and whooping cough. Vaccinations will only be administered with signed consent forms from parents or caregivers. Families are encouraged to seek information from healthcare professionals. The department urges families to return signed consent forms before vaccination teams visit schools.