Most Wirral Parents Say Yes To Cervical Cancer Vaccination For Daughters, England

Main Category: Cervical Cancer / HPV Vaccine
Also Included In: Pediatrics / Children's Health;  Sexual Health / STDs
Article Date: 24 Nov 2008 - 3:00 PST

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The majority of the Wirral parents asked if they would consent to their daughters being immunised against cervical cancer in the first wave of vaccinations have already agreed.

The majority of the Wirral parents asked if they would consent to their daughters being immunised against cervical cancer in the first wave of vaccinations have already agreed.

Seventy per cent said yes and this 'very positive' support from parents and carers has delighted public health officers at Wirral Primary Care Trust who are working closely with the school nursing team to coordinate the HPV (human papillomavirus) vaccination programme for Year 8 girls.

Approximately 2,000 Wirral girls aged 12 and 13 have been identified for the first wave of vaccinations and the message to parents who haven't yet given their consent is: "Don't let your daughter miss out."

The Wirral programme will start on 15th September ahead of many areas of the country - the result of much careful preparation and planning by the PCT, Wirral MBC and Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. Three new nurses Sally Rooney, Maria Geggie and Emma Lewis (pictured left to right) are the latest recruits, taking to 33 the number of nurses fully geared up for the campaign.

Lead School Nurse Sue Edwards said: "This vaccine will save hundreds of lives a year in this country. The fact that so many parents and carers in Wirral have signed up to the programme at this stage is very positive indeed and it shows that the campaign's 'arm against cancer'' message has been taken on board. It's not too late to for parents to say yes - they can contact their school nurse via school."

The HPV immunisation programme consists of three injections given over a period of six months. The Wirral schedule involves 33 nurses carrying out the vaccinations at four schools a week at nearly 30 locations across Wirral. No Year 8 girl will be given the vaccine without parental permission.

Joint Director of Public Health, Marie Armitage, said: "There are more than a hundred types of HPV but only 13 of these cause cancer. This vaccine protects against two types which are responsible for seventy per cent of cases. The Department of Health recommends that the vaccine be given to all Year 8 girls after research showed that this is the best age to protect them, before they become sexually active and risk coming into contact with HPV."

Over the next three years the vaccine will also be offered to other girls aged 13 to 18, starting this year with girls aged 17 to 18.

Parents or carers wanting more information on the HPV vaccination programme should contact their daughter's school nurse via school.

Note: For more information on aspects of the local HPV vaccination programme please contact Jan Gill, Public Health Development Manager on 0151 651 3893. For details of the national programme visit http://www.nhs.uk/hpv

Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer affecting women worldwide.
New cases of cervical cancer fell by 42% between 1988 and 1997 in England and Wales. This fall is directly related to the national cervical screening programme.

Wirral Hospital NHS Trust