A different type of
vaccine will be used to protect teenage girls against a virus which can
cause cervical cancer and genital warts, the Scottish Government has
announced.
During the new school term, which started last week,
girls will be vaccinated against human papilloma virus (HPV) with
Gardasil rather than Cervarix, used previously.
Cervarix protects
against two strains of HPV, while Gardasil is said to offer protection
from four, as well as protecting against genital warts.
The HPV
vaccine, which is given in three doses, will continue to be offered to
girls in their second year of secondary school, when they are about
13-years-old.
Gardasil offers protection against the two strains of HPV that cause more than 70% of cases of cervical cancers in the
UK, and a further two strains that cause about 90% of genital warts cases.
It
will now be used across the UK following a procurement exercise by the
Department of Health on behalf of the four UK Health Departments.
The
vaccine does not protect against other types of cervical cancer, so
regular screening is still important. HPV is said to be very common and
is caught through sexual contact with someone who already has it.
The virus does not cause cervical cancer or warts in every woman who contracts it.
"The
HPV jab, launched in 2008, is the very first to protect against a type
of cancer and plays a critical part in helping to protect thousands of
Scottish women from a disease that can attack them in the prime of their
lives.
"The HPV vaccination programme was established first and
foremost to protect against cervical cancer, however, the fact that the
new vaccine also provides protection against genital warts is
an added benefit."
“My daughter Jordan knows she nearly lost me
and NOTHING would persuade her not to have the injection. Girls who are
well informed should be able to make that decision.
“It’s not an
ideal situation when parental views differ from the child’s. The family
should discuss the pros and cons and if the child is still unsure, they
can ask more questions at school.
“This treatment will save the lives of women.”
If you need any information relating to cervical cancer or the HPV jab please join me on my awareness page here:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cervical-Cancer-Awareness/243367494595
Alternatively you can seek further advice and information on the Jo's Cervical Cancer Trust here: http://www.jostrust.org.uk/