Let’s Eliminate Cervical Cancer: A Call for Inclusive Vaccine Coverage Against Human Papillomavirus in South Africa

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Let’s Eliminate Cervical Cancer: A Call for Inclusive Vaccine Coverage Against Human Papillomavirus in South Africa

20 minutes

Cervical cancer (CC) is a significant public health concern in South Africa, where it is the second most common cancer among women and the leading cause of cancer-related mortality. More than 90% of cervical cases occur in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where access to preventive measures, such as Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination, remains limited. This policy brief advocates for inclusive HPV vaccine coverage in South Africa, aiming to eliminate cervical cancer through equitable vaccine distribution and adherence to the World Health Organization's elimination strategy.

By:

Sizeka Mashele, Matshediso Mohlala, Nthabiseng Maja, Manjunath Shanker South African Field Epidemiology Training Program, National Institute for Communicable Disease, Johannesburg, South Africa; National Cancer Registry, National Institute for Communicable Disease, National Health Laboratory Services, Johannesburg, South Africa; School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa; School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa; US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Cervical cancer is the fourth most prevalent cancer worldwide, disproportionately affecting women in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). South Africa experiences a particularly high burden of cervical cancer, largely due to Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection. The World Health Organization (WHO) advises that 90% of girls should be vaccinated against HPV by age 15, and 70% of women should undergo screening by ages 35 and 45. However, South Africa’s current vaccination program only covers girls in public schools, leaving out key groups such as private school students and homeschooled children.

This policy brief evaluates two alternatives to the current approach specifically, Inclusive School-Based Vaccination and Enhanced Facility-Based Vaccination examining the advantages and drawbacks of each strategy, assessing their potential health and economic impacts, and concludes with final recommendations.

Download report here: https://genderhealthdata.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Policy-Draft-Cervical-Cancer-South-Africa.pdf