title: High uptake of Gardasil vaccine among 9 - 12-year-old schoolgirls participating in an HPV vaccination demonstration project in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cervical cancer is linked to infection of the cervix by oncogenic human papillomavirus (HPV) subtypes. The quadrivalent 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.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To demonstrate the capacity of school health teams to carry out vaccinations within a school environment.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  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.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This project demonstrated the successful implementation of HPV vaccination among learners (ages 9 - 12 years) using school health teams.
authors: Department of Public Health Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa. moodleyi15@ukzn.ac.za
authors: I
authors: I
authors: Moodley
authors: N
authors: N
authors: Tathiah
authors: V
authors: V
authors: Mubaiwa
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Denny
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017589:Immunization Programs; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000821:virology; D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D013019:South Africa; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000821:virology
chemical_list: D053918:Papillomavirus Vaccines