“A new vaccination giving protection from cervical cancer is being offered for the first time to thousands of young women across Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset. Cervical cancer is caused by a virus called Human Papilloma virus, or HPV. It is the second most common cancer of women worldwide and with over 3,000 women affected each year in the UK, with about 1000 deaths. The HPV vaccine protects against 70 per cent of all cervical cancer cases. This is the first time the vaccine has been made available in this country; it has already been used successfully in over 90 countries around the world, including America, Australia and Germany.
From October, the HPV vaccine is being routinely offered to all young women aged between 12 - 13 and 17 – 18 year olds in Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset. A course of three doses of vaccine is necessary for protection and these will be given over a six month period.
A new website has also been launched to give girls and parents more information about the vaccine, at: www.nhs.uk/hpv
Dr Chris Payne, director of public health in South Gloucestershire said: “We want to reassure young women and their families that it is safe and there are real benefits to having the vaccine. There’s lots of information available online or young women and parents can talk to the school health nurse, GP or Practice Nurse.”
Dr Hugh Annett, director of public health in Bristol said: ‘We now have the opportunity of helping to prevent the spread of a very serious disease that affects over 3,000 women every year in the UK and causes over a thousand deaths. The HPV vaccine offers young women protection from cervical cancer in the future and will save lives.”
Dr Angela Raffle, consultant in public health for Avon area, and national expert on cancer prevention, said: “The HPV vaccine is a safe vaccine. It is an important development in our efforts to reduce the risk of cervical cancer. A good immunisation programme, reaching all the eligible girls, will complement our Cervical Screening Programme. The vaccine can only give immunity to some sub-types of HPV, therefore regular cervical screening will remain vital.
Dr Max Kammerling, director of public health in North Somerset, said: “We can make a real difference to the next generation of women. We hope all families will support the programme and help make sure as many young women as possible take up the offer of vaccination.”
For more information please contact: Sue Pratt, communications manager South Gloucestershire PCT, on 0117 330 2499 (mobile: 07502 184 701).
Notes
Experts are available for interview who can answer all aspects on the benefits of the new HPV vaccine. The HPV vaccine is currently being used in 93 countries around the world, including the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the UK and most European and Scandinavian countries. Over 20 million doses have been given worldwide, with very few serious adverse reactions reported. For more facts about cervical cancer and HPV vaccine please visit: http://www.immunisation.nhs.uk/publications/288374_HPV_factsheet.pdf
The HPV vaccination is licensed for use to reduce risk of cervical cancer, but only in addition to cervical screening. It is essential that vaccinated girls participate in the cervical screening programme once they reach age 25.The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunization (JCVI) provides the Department of Health with independent expert advice on all vaccine issues.Human Papilloma viruses cause 99 per cent of invasive cervical cancer. To ensure maximum benefit and protection from this vaccine, it is necessary to administer it before the onset of sexual activity. The vaccine protects against the viruses responsible for about 70 per cent of cases. Cervical screening substantially reduces the risk of developing cervical cancer. It prevents around 7-8 cases out of every ten in regularly-screened women.
For more information about cervical cancer and the screening programme see: http://www.cancerscreening.nhs.uk/cervical/index.html.
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