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Schoolgirls to get 'cancer jab' Schoolgirls to get 'cancer jab'
(20 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.
It will go further than recommended by experts, with all aged 12-13 eligible, and a catch-up campaign up to 18.It will go further than recommended by experts, with all aged 12-13 eligible, and a catch-up campaign up to 18.
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.
Similar moves are expected from the Scottish Executive and the Welsh Assembly Government.Similar moves are expected from the Scottish Executive and the Welsh Assembly Government.
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.
HAVE YOUR SAY The whole point of vaccinations is to give the jab before exposure to the virus, so it has to be done reasonably young Jo Hanley, UK Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAY The whole point of vaccinations is to give the jab before exposure to the virus, so it has to be done reasonably young Jo Hanley, UK Send us your comments
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.
The programme will start in 12-13-year olds with plans to vaccinate those up to the age of 18 from autumn 2009.
It will most likely be done in schools but individual primary care trusts will be responsible for working out how to implement vaccination.
Two vaccines have been developed - Gardasil, made by Merck and Sanofi Pasteur, which has been approved in 76 countries, and Cevarix, which was launched in the UK recently.Two vaccines have been developed - Gardasil, made by Merck and Sanofi Pasteur, which has been approved in 76 countries, and Cevarix, which was launched in the UK recently.
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.
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.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."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.""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 approvalEuropean 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.
Health secretary Alan Johnson said: "As a society we need to do more to prevent disease and not just treat it.Health secretary Alan Johnson said: "As a society we need to do more to prevent disease and not just treat it.
"Now more than ever before we need to make the NHS a service that prevents ill health and prioritises keeping people well.""Now more than ever before we need to make the NHS a service that prevents ill health and prioritises keeping people well."
He added that 400 lives could potentially be saved each year, with many women prevented from getting HPV in the first place.He added that 400 lives could potentially be saved each year, with many women prevented from getting HPV in the first place.
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."
Dr Loretta Brabin, Reader in Women's Health, University of Manchester said they were working with two primary care trusts to pilot the vaccination programme ahead of national roll-out.Dr Loretta Brabin, Reader in Women's Health, University of Manchester said they were working with two primary care trusts to pilot the vaccination programme ahead of national roll-out.
"So far we have not encountered any major obstacles to parental acceptance of vaccination."So far we have not encountered any major obstacles to parental acceptance of vaccination.
"Parent's main concern is long term safety and while many do not think their daughters will be at risk of HPV just yet, most understand the need for vaccinating at an early age.""Parent's main concern is long term safety and while many do not think their daughters will be at risk of HPV just yet, most understand the need for vaccinating at an early age."