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Jersey Cancer Relief fund cervical cancer vaccine for older schoolgirls

02 February 2009

A new vaccination programme for protecting against cervical cancer is to be extended to older Jersey school girls. Jersey Cancer Relief is funding the programme which will offer the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine.

The Health department currently offers HPV vaccination to all girls when they reach school year 8 (aged 12 to 13 years). Jersey Cancer Relief’s financial help will make it possible to offer the vaccine to girls born between 01.09.91 and 31.08.95. This extended vaccination programme will be delivered over two years.

Clinical Lead for Immunisation, Dr Mark Jones explained: “Persistent infection with cancer-causing HPV viruses can lead to the formation of abnormal cells in the cervix, which, over time, may become precancerous or cancerous. There are two safe and highly effective vaccines available that protect against HPV types associated with over 70% of cervical cancers. Both of the available HPV vaccines are equally effective at protecting against cervical cancer”.

The CervarixTM brand of HPV vaccine will be administered by school nurses. Medical Officer of Health, Dr Rosemary Geller said: “Our department is funding the rolling year 8 programme of HPV vaccination along with all the other vaccines given to infants and children. We are very grateful for the contribution from Jersey Cancer Relief which enables us to offer this one-off catch-up programme to older schoolgirls which we would otherwise be unable to offer. However immunisation does not protect against all the HPV types that can cause cervical cancer so it is vital that women continue to be screened for this disease”.

Further information about the HPV vaccination (external website - opens in a new window).
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