Article Sidebar
Published:
Apr 30, 2013Article Details
Copyright remains in the Author’s name. The work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution - Noncommercial Works License. Authors are required to complete and sign an Author Agreement form that outlines Author and Publisher rights and terms of publication. The Agreement form should be uploaded along with other submissions files and any submission will be considered incomplete without it [forthcoming].
Material submitted for publication in the SAMJ is accepted provided it has not been published or submitted for publication elsewhere. Please inform the editorial team if the main findings of your paper have been presented at a conference and published in abstract form, to avoid copyright infringement. The SAMJ does not hold itself responsible for statements made by the authors.
Previously published images
If an image/figure has been previously published, permission to reproduce or alter it must be obtained by the authors from the original publisher and the figure legend must give full credit to the original source. This credit should be accompanied by a letter indicating that permission to reproduce the image has been granted to the author/s. This letter should be uploaded as a supplementary file during submission.
Main Article Content
High uptake of Gardasil vaccine among 9 - 12-yearold schoolgirls participating in an HPV vaccination demonstration project in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Abstract
Gardasil vaccine (against HPV types 6, 11, 16, 18), recommended in girls 9 - 12 years of age, has been shown to be safe, immunogenic and
efficacious, with minimal or no side-effects.
Aim. To demonstrate the capacity of school health teams to carry out vaccinations within a school environment.
Objectives. To assess the uptake of 3 doses of the vaccine, document lessons learnt and provide recommendations for a national rollout of
school-based HPV vaccination for learners.
Methods. Female learners (age 9 - 12 years) from 31 primary schools in Nongoma and Ceza districts (KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa) were identified for inclusion in the vaccination programme. The 3 doses of vaccine were administered by existing school health teams. Education and training sessions were held with all stakeholders: provincial departments of health and education; school health teams; primary healthcare nurses; hospital doctors and nurses; private practitioners; school principals, teachers and governing bodies; parents; and community and traditional leaders.
Results. The overall uptake of the vaccine was found to be high: 99.7%, 97.9% and 97.8% for the first, second and third doses respectively
(N=963). No adverse events were attributed to the HPV vaccine.
Conclusion. This project demonstrated the successful implementation of HPV vaccination among learners (ages 9 - 12 years) using school
health teams.
