12:00am Sunday 31st August 2008
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.”
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