06 Mar 2016

Since the introduction of the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine campaign, North East District parents have been supportive in order for their young girls to get the possible help.

According to the North East District Community Health nurse, Ms Naomi Matlhare in an interview with BOPA on Wednesday, they are pleased with the way parents have handled everything concerning the on-going campaign adding that some even brought forward their young girls from the farms to be immunised.

Although the campaign targeted young girls in primary schools, from Standard Five to Seven aged between 9 and 13, Ms Matlhare stated that some parents went to the extent of reporting and pleading for their junior secondary school going young girls more especially those who fell between the targeted age groups and not yet sexually active to be vaccinated.

Furthermore, she indicated that the national roll-out started last year during the month of February and that Gardasil vaccine was recommended as it helps reduce the cancer burden in women and that the vaccine was administered in two doses over an interval of six months.

She also said that they have managed to immunise 1 757 in and out-of-school young girls with the first dose and covered 35 primary schools in the North East District.

She said 1 645 young girls received the second immunization while one of those who came up for the second dose was not vaccinated as she was pregnant.

During the last week of February, Ms Matlhare stated that they have managed to vaccinate 599 Standard Five girls for the first dose and that even this year parents were very helpful adding that they have not yet encountered any challenges and that there were no bad reactions or side effects reported by those who were vaccinated.

Ms Matlhare also urged young girls who did not receive the vaccine either last year or this year to go to the nearest health facility to get assistance adding that it is better to be prevented than being at risk of cancer.

She also urged parents to always keep record cards safely and that even during transfer-outs  they should also submit them in order to be sure of proper monitoring of their children. Ends