From next September all girls in the UK
aged 12 to 13 (year will be offered a
vaccine against the virus that causes
cervical cancer. Older girls aged 15 to 18
will also be offered the vaccine over the
following two years as part of a
'catch-up' programme.
What causes cervical cancer?
Almost all cases of cervical cancer are
caused by a virus called the human
papilloma virus (HPV for short). There are
more than 100 different types of this
virus. About 15 types are 'high risk' and
can cause cervical cancer. Types 16 and 18
are the most common. They are responsible
for 70 percent of all cases of cervical
cancer.
There are two vaccines against cervical
cancer, called Gardasil and Cervarix. Both
protect women against HPV types 16 and 18.
But Gardasil also protects against two
further types of HPV (6 and 11) which
cause 90 percent of cases of genital
warts.
The government has not yet decided which
vaccine will be used in the programme.
They will decide next year.
People catch the viruses that cause
cervical cancer and genital warts during
sexual intercourse and other sexual
activity, such as oral sex. If you become
infected with one of the high-risk types
of HPV, your immune system will usually
fight off the virus, in the same way that
your body fights off a cold. But if the
virus stays in your body it may start to
cause changes in the cells of the cervix.
Sometimes these can develop into cancer.
About 3,000 women in the UK are diagnosed
with cervical cancer each year. About
1,000 women die each year from the
disease. The vaccination programme is
expected to cut the numbers of women
getting cervical cancer by more than 70
percent.
Tell me more about genital warts
Genital warts can grow on the skin in and
around the vagina or penis. They can be
soft and flesh-coloured or harder and
irregular shaped. Genital warts don't
usually cause symptoms but you might be
upset about the way they look. They are
usually easy to treat with creams, by
freezing or with surgery.
Who will get the vaccine?
In England, Scotland and Wales all girls
aged 12 to 13 will be offered the vaccine
against cervical cancer from September
2008. They will receive three shots of the
vaccine over six months. The vaccine is
likely to be given at school, although
some areas might decide to give the
vaccine through GP surgeries or hospital
clinics.
A catch-up vaccination programme will
start the following year for older girls:
Girls aged 16 to 18 (school years 12 and
13) will be offered the vaccine from
autumn 2009.
Girls aged 15 to 17 (school years 11 and
12) will be offered the vaccine from
autumn 2010.
Northern Ireland has also said it will
also be offering vaccination against
cervical cancer, but the details have not
yet been finalised.
Although boys can pass the virus on they
will not receive the vaccine.
Why is the vaccine given at this age?
The vaccine is given at a young age
because once you have had sex, there is a
very high chance that you have been
infected with HPV.
The vaccine works best in girls and women
who have never been infected with HPV.
That's why the government thinks it's best
to vaccinate girls before they start
having sex. We don't know if vaccination
protects women who have had HPV in the
past.
If you have been vaccinated, you can still
be infected with other types of HPV,
though other types of HPV are less
common.
Will older women get the vaccine?
The Joint Committee on Vaccines and
Immunisation (JCVI), which recommends the
vaccines that should be given by the NHS,
has said that it would not be
cost-effective to give the vaccine to
older women. This is because once sexual
activity has started then women are at
high risk of already having been infected
with the virus that causes cervical
cancer. It is important for older women to
continue to have smears to check for
cervical cancer.
How long does protection with the vaccine
last?
So far we know that the vaccines offer
protection against HPV types 16 and 18 for
at least five years. Doctors will use the
cervical screening programme (smear tests)
to check how long it lasts after that.
What does this mean for me?
If you are the parent of a girl who will
be in year 8 next September you will
probably receive a letter some time next
year telling you about the vaccination
programme. If you have any questions you
will be able to speak to your doctor,
health visitor or school nurse closer to
the time.
Where can I find out more?
To learn more see your local department of
health website.
This information does not replace medical
advice. If you are concerned you might
have a medical problem please ask your
Boots pharmacy team in your local Boots
store, or see your doctor.
will be offered a
vaccine against the virus that causes
cervical cancer. Older girls aged 15 to 18
will also be offered the vaccine over the
following two years as part of a
'catch-up' programme.
