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Cancer virus vaccinations for girls to start

12:00am Sunday 31st August 2008 in


A NEW vaccination programme to protect girls against the commonest cause of cervical cancer will be launched in schools this month.

The vaccine protects against infection by the human papilloma virus which is one of the main causes of cervical cancer. The vaccination will be given in schools in Rochford district, Southend and Castle Point.

Girls aged 12 to 13 and 17 to 18 will be the first to be vaccinated.

A two-year catch up programme will then be rolled out to all 14 to 16 year olds. Parents and guardians will receive letters giving information about the vaccine and asking for written consent for their child to be vaccinated.

Dr Andrea Atherton, director of public health at NHS South East Essex, said: “The human papilloma virus vaccination programme is an exciting opportunity to immunise young girls against the future risks of cancer.”

Comments(8)

Thames Gateway says...
7:55am Sun 31 Aug 08

I hope the parents are told clearly:
1) What are believed to be the benefits?
2) What side effects may be caused?
3) What are the alternatives? (do nothing; abstain from random sex to reduce risk)
4)That the injection is only apparently effective against 70% of the target cancers.

But we are talking Labour Government here.

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152 says...
10:04am Sun 31 Aug 08

Does this vaccine also protect against warts?

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ddf35 says...
10:54pm Sun 31 Aug 08

I'm not really sure why people are so skeptical about this. why would you refuse to provide your daughter with an up to 70% less risk of developing cervical cancer, or having an abnormal smear result. It infuriates me that people seem to think this affects 'only promiscious women'. If you educate *your* children correctly, you can add further protection to their lives.

it infuriates me that people would deny something like this just because of their old fashioned views. I am one of many women who have had further investigative tests after an abnormal smear result, and now have to have more regular smear tests. If i had a vaccination when i was younger than could have prevented this, i would gladly go back in time. And no I am not 'an essex slag' - my number of partners is well well well below average, proving that it took just take *one* person to spread the HPV virus to me which can cause abnormal smear results.

I would question if it was possible to vaccination boys against HPV as well, and try and wipe it out completely.

If you were dying of cancer, and were told you could have an injection that had a 70% chance of working, would you pass it up?

It just confuses me a little that people would not buy into it.

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Thames Gateway says...
11:26pm Sun 31 Aug 08

I did not say I was 'buying into' it or not. It is just a plea for parents to be provided enough information so that they and their daughters can make their own decisions comfortably, rather than feeling that that are being steamrollered into something.

I understand that other countries have ruled out vaccinating boys as it deemed not to be cost effective.

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Thames Gateway says...
11:30pm Sun 31 Aug 08

Yes 70% is a good percentage reduction. However some experts are arguing that cancer rates could even increase, as girls may perceive a sense of invulnerability to this cancer, and not proceed with routine smears any more, where as we all know, the early signs can be successfully detected. If they are not having the smears, then this might not happen.

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ddf35 says...
12:38pm Mon 1 Sep 08

In which case it is important that parents sex educate their children adequatly and not rely on anyone else to do that, as well it being taught in school (i dont know what it is like now as it is years since i left, and i do not have children in school). it needs to be promoted properly, and not as a cure, but a preventative measure. When they have the vaccine, or when it is launched etc they need detailed explanation of what it prevents (HPV) and how HPV can lead to cervical cancer, and also the percentage of risk and other causes of cancer. It is feasible to suggest that Jade Goody might be able to help promote awareness about cervical cancer and the importance of getting tested.

I guess i just dont understand why someone would choose not to have it. You can still practice safe sex, good morals etc, as well as having the added safety of the vaccination.

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APR says...
7:33pm Wed 3 Sep 08

There is of course the danger, that some children may see this vaccination as protection against STDs.

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ddf35 says...
8:40pm Wed 3 Sep 08

HPV is a virus which can lead to cervical cancer (which this is the for) is a STD. that's why they need to be educated what it does and does not protect against - through schools and through their parents.

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