There are several ways to get the HPV vaccine in South Africa, depending on what’s most convenient for you. Some clinics will offer an appointment with a doctor where you can ask questions about the vaccine, or simply ask to be vaccinated without having to talk with the doctor first. Other clinics might offer it as a walk-in service, and if you prefer, many pharmacies will sell it over the counter and let you vaccinate yourself as long as you know how to do it correctly.
What is HPV vaccine?
HPV is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI). There are about fourteen million new cases of it every year. The virus can cause genital warts and cervical cancer. If a woman has an STI, she can pass it on to her baby during childbirth, which can lead to serious problems like birth defects and infant death.
Types of HPV Vaccines in South Africa?
HPV is a virus that infects and can cause cancer of the cervix, anus, penis, and throat. The vaccine protects against these cancers. There are two types of HPV vaccine: Gardasil 9 and Gardasil. Gardasil 9 protects against nine strains of HPV whereas Gardasil protects against four strains. Both vaccines protect against 90% of cervical cancers cases caused by HPVs 16 and 18. Gardasil 9 also protects against five other high-risk HPV strains (HPV 31, 33, 45, 52 and 58). Gardasil also provides protection against genital warts caused by certain high-risk HPVs (HPV 6 and 11) as well as anal cancer caused by certain high-risk HPVs (HPV 16 and 18).
