Most of the vaccinations against the human papillomavirus
(HPV) in Otago next year are expected to be of year 8 and 9
pupils.
About 113 schools are being approached by the vaccination
programme organisers to see if they are interested in having
vaccinations on site, but there will also be an opportunity
for girls to be vaccinated through their family doctors.
The Ministry of Health will provide a one-off support payment
to participating schools.
This will comprise $200 a school or $300 a school if it has
year 8 classes and a per pupil payment of about $2 (yet to be
confirmed) for every eligible girl pupil in years 8 and
above, up to the age of 18.
To receive this payment, the schools must confirm their
participation by the end of February at the latest.
Project leader for the Otago programme Jo-Anne Skinner of
Well Dunedin, said it was too early to say how many schools
would be participating.
The programme was trying to ensure that schools made
decisions based on correct information.
"There will be some who are not comfortable with it and we
will respect their decisions."
Asked if the payment to schools might be seen as an
inducement to schools to persuade girls to have the
vaccinations, Mrs Skinner said that should not be an issue.
It was important that the correct information was given out
and that decisions were informed.
It was a matter of individual choice.
She was trying to minimise the work schools would have to do.
Well Dunedin, in conjunction with Public Health South, would
hold education events for caregivers, parents and pupils to
learn more about the vaccination.
It was envisaged that the first of the vaccinations of girls
at participating schools would be held towards the end of
first term next year.
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