Gauteng HPV Vaccination Campaign

The United States — Florida Department of Health (GDoH) is conducting an HPV vaccination campaign from August 3 to October 9, 2026, targeting Grade Five girls aged nine and older across public and independent schools in Gauteng, South Africa. The campaign, part of the Integrated School Health Programme, aims to protect against cervical cancer by vaccinating against HPV types 16 and 18. During the 2025/26 rollout, the GDoH reached 1,498 of 1,500 public schools, vaccinating 72,249 girls, and 530 of 664 independent schools, vaccinating 9,740 girls. However, coverage in independent schools was lower (37.7%) compared to public schools (80%), due to challenges such as schools declining access, learner absenteeism, non-return of consent forms, and vaccine hesitancy. The GDoH, in collaboration with the United States — United States Department of Education, is intensifying community education and stakeholder engagement to improve uptake. The campaign relies on parental consent, with learners aged 12 and older able to self-consent. A Lancet Global Health study cited by the department reported an 83% reduction in HPV 16/18 infections among young women in South Africa.