Suffolk Community Healthcare News
Thousands receive life-saving protection as tough targets hit.
Thousands of teenage girls have been given potentially life-saving protection against cervical cancer following a successful vaccination programme which has reached 90% of 12 and 13-year-olds.
Carried out by Suffolk Community Healthcare (SCH), the programme began in September and has seen more than 3,000 year 8 girls given the HPV vaccine so far – hitting the 90% uptake target set by the Department of Health.
Following this success, SCH has now created a dedicated team to deliver the routine programme. In addition, they will deliver a catch-up programme, which will see an extra 7,000 girls in years 10 and 11 immunised from September onwards. This will take place in addition to the 3,000 plus year 8 girls who are due to start receiving the vaccination course in the autumn term.
Dot Cordle, Head of Universal Children and Family Services with Suffolk Community Healthcare, said: “We are really delighted that more than 3,000 girls across Suffolk have already received this vital vaccine which will protect them against the commonest cause of cervical cancer for many years to come.
“We are extremely grateful to the support we have been given by headteachers and schools across the county, the school nursing service, administrative teams and NHS Suffolk, all of which has been vital in helping us reach the challenging 90% uptake target.
“But it is important that even more young women are offered the vaccine. Over the coming year, our dedicated HPV vaccination team will be carrying out the routine programme as well as a catch up programme which will see an additional 7,000 year 10 and 11 girls offered this important vaccine – potentially saving hundreds of lives.”
The national vaccination programme was introduced to protect against human papilloma virus (HPV), a common sexually transmitted infection which causes over 99% of invasive cervical cancer. The disease currently affects over 2,000 women a year in the UK, causing around 400 deaths.
Over the coming months, SCH will be sending out information to parents and students who are due to start having the injections in September, giving more detail about the vaccine, explaining how it works and gaining consent. The immunisation team together with School Nurses will then administer the girls’ three doses over a six month period to ensure maximum protection.
Brian Keeble, consultant in public health medicine at NHS Suffolk, said: “We are delighted that the uptake for the HPV vaccine has been so high, as it has provided thousands of young girls with vital protection against cervical cancer.
“We would encourage anyone given the opportunity for this vaccination to discuss it thoroughly with their families and read all of the information provided so that they can make an informed choice when returning their consent form.”
The vaccinations do not replace the county’s cervical screening programme, which is offered to all women from the age of 25.
