Cervical cancer is the second leading cause of cancer in women in South Africa. To protect women against cervical cancer, the government launched a national human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccination campaign in 2014. HPV infection is the leading cause of cervical cancer, accounting for around 95% of cases globally.
With a decade of cervical cancer vaccination under our belts, most girls and women between the ages of 10 and 20 living in South Africa should now be vaccinated against HPV. The vaccine has been given to Grade 5 girls, who are 10 turning 11, since 2020 – prior to this, it was offered to Grade 4 girls. Acting Chief Director of Maternal, Child and Women's Health in the Department of Health, Lesley Bamford, told Spotlight that HPV vaccination coverage among eligible pupils in South Africa has consistently been between 80 and 85%.
The department did not provide Spotlight with detailed data. The between 80% and 85% range is higher than coverage rates reported in relevant academic work and estimated by the World Health Organisation (WHO). WATCH | Why so many government patients get cervical cancer.
And what to do about it The South African government now aims to increase HPV vaccination coverage to 90%, as part of global efforts spearheaded by the WHO to eliminate cervical cancer by 2030. To achieve the new 90% target, South Africa has moved from a two-dose to a single-dose HPV vaccine schedule and will now also be offering government-funded HPV jabs in private and indep.
