Neelam Rahim | neelam@radioislam.co.za
3-minute read
03 February 2026

2026 HPV vaccination drive kicks off for girls aged 9 and up. 📸

South Africa’s 2026 HPV vaccination drive officially kicked off today, targeting girls aged nine and older in an effort to curb cervical cancer one of the country’s deadliest yet most preventable diseases.

With more than 5,700 cases and over 3,000 deaths annually, health officials say early vaccination remains one of the most powerful interventions available to protect future generations.

Speaking to Radio Islam International, Ms Elizabeth Maseti, the Department of Health manager overseeing the immunisation and HPV programme, emphasised that the campaign is focused on prevention before young girls reach adulthood.

“We all know that prevention is better than cure,” Maseti said. “So for us not to regret at a later stage, we rather prevent the cancer now with a vaccine.”

Maseti explained that the HPV vaccine has been used globally for over two decades, reinforcing its safety profile and long-term effectiveness.

“There is a vaccine which has been used globally for more than 20 years which means that it is safe to be used and it prevents cancer in years to come,” she said.

The vaccination programme mainly targets girls in Grade 5, which Maseti said is a medically and scientifically critical age window.

“When any medication or vaccine is to be used in the country, it goes through pre-station evaluation,” she explained. “The vaccine will state from which age should this vaccine be given.”

According to Maseti, girls aged nine and ten are also less likely to be sexually active, which is significant because HPV, the human papillomavirus, is commonly transmitted through sexual contact.

“So when the child is still nine years and 10 years, we know that the child is not yet involved in sexual activity,” she said. “That is the best time to prevent.”

Maseti also noted that the immune system at this age responds strongly, making the vaccine more effective.

Despite the department’s efforts, vaccine hesitancy remains a concern among some parents. Maseti urged families to seek credible information from healthcare facilities.

“If you are hesitant… you have to remember not to ask the question that, what if I don’t vaccinate?” she said. “What will happen to my girl in future?”

The programme has also expanded beyond public schools, now including private and special independent schools in a move aimed at ensuring equitable access.

“The virus doesn’t care whether you’re in public or you’re in private schools,” Maseti said. “It will just attack the person.”

She confirmed the vaccine is now administered as a single dose, offering lifelong protection.

“It has been proven that one single dose of HPV vaccination will protect that child,” she said.

Consent forms will be issued to parents, with Maseti stressing that schools are only used for convenience and not to bypass guardians.

“If the consent form is not signed, unfortunately the child will not be vaccinated,” she said.

Listen to the full interview on Sabahul Muslim with Moulana Habib Bobat and Ms Elizabeth Maseti.