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Schoolgirls to get 'cancer jab' Schoolgirls to get 'cancer jab'
(30 minutes later)
Schoolgirls in England will be vaccinated against the virus that causes cervical cancer from September 2008, ministers are set to announce.Schoolgirls in England will be vaccinated against the virus that causes cervical cancer from September 2008, ministers are set to announce.
The programme will go further than experts recommended, with all 12 to 13-year-olds eligible for the jab and a catch-up campaign up to the age of 18.The programme will go further than experts recommended, with all 12 to 13-year-olds eligible for the jab and a catch-up campaign up to the age of 18.
Boys will not be given the vaccine, the Department of Health will confirm.
It is thought that vaccinating against human papillomavirus (HPV) could save hundreds of lives in the UK each year.It is thought that vaccinating against human papillomavirus (HPV) could save hundreds of lives in the UK each year.
Announcements are also expected from the Scottish Executive and Welsh Assembly. Similar moves are expected from the Scottish Executive and Welsh Assembly.
Earlier this year the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation recommended routine vaccination for 11 to 12-year olds, including the possibility of a catch-up campaign - but only up to the age of 16.Earlier this year the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation recommended routine vaccination for 11 to 12-year olds, including the possibility of a catch-up campaign - but only up to the age of 16.
But the government wanted further evidence on the cost benefits of a programme before making a final decision.But the government wanted further evidence on the cost benefits of a programme before making a final decision.
Two vaccines have been developed - Gardasil, made by Merck and Sanofi Pasteur, which has been approved in 76 countries, and Cevarix, which is expected to be launched in Europe later this year.Two vaccines have been developed - Gardasil, made by Merck and Sanofi Pasteur, which has been approved in 76 countries, and Cevarix, which is expected to be launched in Europe later this year.
Both cost about £300 for three injections over six months.Both cost about £300 for three injections over six months.
The committee had not made a recommendation as to which of the vaccines should be used.The committee had not made a recommendation as to which of the vaccines should be used.
And it had not recommended the jab for boys as it did not feel it would offer any additional benefit once there was high coverage among girls.
Killer diseaseKiller disease
Some have expressed concerns that providing a jab to protect against a sexually transmitted infection to children at a young age might encourage promiscuity.Some have expressed concerns that providing a jab to protect against a sexually transmitted infection to children at a young age might encourage promiscuity.
But parents would have the final say as to whether their child received the injection.But parents would have the final say as to whether their child received the injection.
Sarah Lotzof is a GP at Dedicated Doctors, a private clinic that has been offering the vaccine. She told 5 Live Breakfast that the vaccines are needed.
"It is a huge breakthrough for our younger generation," she said.
"We can stop possibly 85% of people who would have died of cancer dying - and at the moment over a thousand women are dying of this disease in this country now."
About 80% of sexually active women can expect to have an HPV infection at some point in their lives.About 80% of sexually active women can expect to have an HPV infection at some point in their lives.
It is held responsible for some 70% of cervical cancer cases, a disease which kills 274,000 women worldwide every year, including 1,120 in the UK.It is held responsible for some 70% of cervical cancer cases, a disease which kills 274,000 women worldwide every year, including 1,120 in the UK.
European approval
In an editorial published last year, the Lancet called for mandatory vaccination against HPV for girls in all EU member states once they are 11 or 12.In an editorial published last year, the Lancet called for mandatory vaccination against HPV for girls in all EU member states once they are 11 or 12.
Other European countries including Switzerland, Austria, Germany, Italy, France, Norway, Luxembourg and Belgium have approved a vaccination programme.Other European countries including Switzerland, Austria, Germany, Italy, France, Norway, Luxembourg and Belgium have approved a vaccination programme.
Experts said the programme would be more expensive than all other childhood immunisations and the benefits would not been seen for decades, but eventually it would be worth the cost.Experts said the programme would be more expensive than all other childhood immunisations and the benefits would not been seen for decades, but eventually it would be worth the cost.
Pamela Morton, director of cervical cancer charity Jo's Trust, said she was absolutely delighted at the news.Pamela Morton, director of cervical cancer charity Jo's Trust, said she was absolutely delighted at the news.
"It's exactly what we wanted and it goes beyond our expectations. I'm delighted for young women and their parents.""It's exactly what we wanted and it goes beyond our expectations. I'm delighted for young women and their parents."