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Cervical cancer - majority of girls begin vaccine
MORE than four out of five girls in West Sussex have begun their course of the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine in the five months since it was launched.
New figures show that 84 per cent of year eight (12 to 13-year-olds) school girls across West Sussex have had the first dose of the vaccine, which is also being offered to girls in year 13 (17 to 18-year-olds) through GP surgeries.
The three-course dose of HPV vaccine protects against the two types of the virus that cause the majority of cervical cancer cases.
This vaccine, along with cervical screening, will help protect women for life.
Sue Hasson, HPV project manager for West Sussex Primary Care Trust, said: "We would now encourage all the girls who have had their first dose to make sure they have all three injections to be sure they are fully protected.
"The introduction of the HPV vaccine is excellent news for women to protect against cervical cancer in the future."
If any girls or their parents have questions about the vaccination programme they can speak first to their school nurse or to their GP. They can also contact NHS Direct's special HPV helpline on 0845 602 3303.
If any girls in year eight have missed the first vaccine and now want to receive it, contact should be made with the HPV Central Office co-ordinator Carol Jay on 01243 815313.
Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women aged between 15 and 44, and in the UK more than 2,800 women are diagnosed with this type of cancer every year.
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Weather for Horsham
Thursday 09 February 2012
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