HPV vaccine recommended for NHS immunisation programme

Background to Cervical Cancer Immunisation

In Europe, cervical cancer is the second leading cause of death by cancer in women aged between 15 and 44 years, after breast cancer. Every day, 40 women in Europe die of cervical cancer.

This figure has been decreasing for some years now thanks to prevention programs such as screening. In the UK however, there are approximately 2,800 new registrations of cervical cancer every year. Cervical cancer is caused by a virus called the human papillomavirus.

The HPV Immunisation Programme

Last year, the Government announced an immunisation programme to include routine HPV vaccination of girls aged 12 - 13 years

Health Secretary Alan Johnson recently announced the introduction of a human papilloma virus (HPV) immunisation programme to routinely vaccinate girls aged 12 - 13 years of age against cervical cancer, starting from September 2008.

This vaccination is available from Apsaras Clinic.

Call (024) 7669 3700 today for more information.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is HPV?
HPV stands for Human Papillomavirus Virus. Some strains of the virus cause cervical cancer and vaccination will offer protection against the two strains that cause 70% of all cervical cancer.

How is HPV infection spread?
By sexual contact, mostly through sexual intercourse, but also through other types of sexual activity.

Is HPV common?
Yes. At some time in their lives, most people will be infected with HPV. In the UK, HPV DNA (indicating current infection) has been found in 40% of 20-24 year old women.

What about women older than the recommended groups?
JCVI advice is that it would not be cost effective to run a national vaccination programme for all women over the age of 18. This is because as soon as a woman has started her sexual life she is at risk of catching the virus.. However women not covered by the vaccination programme will still be invited to be screened routinely as part of the national cervical screening programme.

Is it possible to test young women for HPV infection?
Tests for HPV infection exist but these are primarily used for research purposes and are not normally available on the NHS.

How many doses of vaccine are needed?
Three doses of the HPV vaccine over a six month period are needed for protection.

Is the vaccine safe?
As with other vaccines, side effects such as a sore arm and a mild temperature, do occur. The vaccines have undergone rigorous safety testing as part of the licensing process. HPV vaccine is given in other countries, including the USA and Australia.

Will the cervical screening programme now be stopped?
No, the national cervical screening programme will continue. Vaccination will not protect against all forms of cervical cancer and women who have not had the vaccine will be unprotected.

The cervical screening programme remains important in reducing the risk of cervical cancer.