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Cervical cancer vaccination
01/09/2008
Some of the first girls in Scotland to take part in the anti-cancer HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) immunisation programme will receive their injections today.
Schools in Lanarkshire, Grampian, Tayside, Orkney and Western Isles health board areas will be administering the first injections today. From this year, the vaccine protecting against the two strains of the virus that cause around 70 per cent of cervical cancer will be routinely offered every year to girls in S2 at high schools across Scotland.
A three-year 'catch-up' campaign also begins this year to vaccinate girls aged 13-17, including those who have already left school.
Scotland's Public Health Minister Shona Robison said:
"Cervical cancer kills more than a hundred Scottish women every year, and touches the lives of many hundreds more.
"Through this simple, effective vaccine we can ensure future generations are protected against the virus responsible for almost three quarters of cervical cancers.
"The lifesaving HPV vaccination is an enormous public health breakthrough that will help prevent young Scottish women from developing a potentially deadly disease."
Leaflets and other information have been issued through schools since term began last month to provide further information on the immunisation programme and how HPV causes cervical cancer. More information is available at www.fightcervicalcancer.org.uk.
The HPV vaccine does not take the place of regular cervical screening. It is vital that girls who are vaccinated attend for screening every three years between the ages of 20 and 60.
The Scottish Government has set aside £64 million over the next three years, with health boards receiving an additional £1.5 million in 2008-09 to administer the HPV campaign. Around 30,000 girls will be routinely immunised each year, with an extra 120,000 girls and young women immunised in the three-year catch-up campaign.