Otago project leader Jo-Anne Skinner said of the 92 schools approached, 69 schools would be participating, 20 had no year 8 and 9 girls, and three primary schools had said they would prefer those girls who wished to have the vaccinations to have them outside the school setting.
The number of eligible girls in those three schools was fewer than 20.
Consent forms for more than 2000 year 8 and 9 girls should come home from schools this week, with the first vaccinations expected to occur from the third week in March.
Mrs Skinner said schools had been offered the chance to have education evenings for families about the vaccine, but none of the schools had accepted.
There was information on the consent forms and those who wished to know more, or parents who had not received a consent form by the end of the week, could contact the Otago HPV programme toll-free line on 0800 769 880 for information.
In Otago, the vaccinations, which are available free to all girls born since January 1, 1990, are also available at a variety of settings outside schools, including family doctors, Family Planning and student health centres.
Mrs Skinner said community organisations, including Maori and Pacific health services, would also be providing support by helping to educate their populations and promote vaccination.
The vaccine, which is administered in three doses over six months, is designed to protect against the HPV strains, which are estimated to cause about 70% of cervical cancer. It also protects against two types of HPV that cause 90% of genital warts.
Protection is expected to last for five years, but the exact period of protection is unknown. Studies will measure how long the protection lasts, the consent form states.
The consent form also advises all women should receive routine three-yearly cervical smear tests from the age of 20.
About 60 women die from cervical cancer each year in New Zealand and 160 are diagnosed each year.
Since the vaccination programme, expected to cost $177 million over five years, began last September, the emphasis to date has been on those born in 1990 or 1991 or who might be at risk of contracting a sexually-transmitted infection.
This year in Otago, years 8and 9 girls will be the focus. Vaccinations for older girls will be available in community services.
Next year the extended school programme will begin across Otago aimed at reaching the remainder of the eligible girls in years 11 to 13, plus vaccinating new year 8 girls.
Vaccinations will continue to be available in schools for new year 8 girls every year.
