Positive uptake of HPV vaccination

Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust, the UK’s only dedicated cervical cancer charity were pleased to see the latest HPV vaccination figures for England that were announced by Public Health Minister Anne Milton.

Over 84 per cent of girls aged 13-14 helped protect themselves against cervical cancer by getting all three doses of the HPV vaccine and more than four million doses of the vaccine have been given in the first two years of the programme,

The latest figures reveal that the programme is one of the most successful in the world with over 76 per cent of girls aged 12-13 having had the full three doses of the vaccine in the second year of the programme with more expected to do so.

Public Health Minister Anne Milton said:
"Being able to help protect young women against this disease is a fantastic development and the uptake is very encouraging.

“But we can always do more. This vaccination reduces the risk of cervical cancer and will save up to 400 deaths every year in the UK. I would ask every girl between 12 and 18 who has not considered vaccination or who has not completed the full course to speak to their school or GP – all three doses are needed for full protection.”

New statistics out today show:
• 84.1 per cent of girls in the first routine cohort (now aged 13-14 years) have now had the full course of vaccine;
• 76.4 per cent of girls in the second routine cohort (aged 12-13 years) have so far completed the vaccination course in 2009-10 with more expected to do so
• the earlier than planned introduction of catch up campaigns for girls aged 14-18 in 2009 meant that the NHS was able to begin protecting more girls sooner;
• In total 60.4 per cent of all 12-19 year olds have had the full course; and
• These figures are already more than twice as high as figures for similar aged girls in the United States programme.

Director of Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust Robert Music said:
“It is encouraging to see that many girls are getting vaccinated against HPV but we would like to see this increase further. The latest data also shows that only about 40% of eligible 16-18 year olds (cohorts 3 & 4) had the vaccination in 2009-10. We must remind girls that they are eligible for vaccination up to 18 years and I urge everyone who has yet to take part in this potentially life saving programme to do so.

“Research has shown that if uptake is 80 per cent year on year we could see a two thirds reduction in cervical cancer incidence in women under 30 by 2025 and I cannot see any greater incentive to do all we can to ensure as many young women as possible are vaccinated.”

Notes to editors

1. Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust – (www.jostrust.org.uk) is the UK’s only dedicated charity offering support and information for those affected by cervical cancer and cervical abnormalities. The charity launched a new national helpline on 23 January. Call 0808 802 8000.
2. Around 3 women in the UK die each day from cervical cancer, with someone diagnosed every 3 hours. Over 300,000 women a year are told they may have a cervical abnormality that could require treatment.
3. The vaccine protects against two strains of the Human Pipillomavirus (HPV) that cause over 70 per cent of cervical cancers. It has been estimated that immunising girls before they become infected will prevent up to 400 deaths every year in the UK.
4. The HPV vaccination programme is predominantly conducted in schools.
5. Three doses of vaccine given over a minimum of six months are required to ensure adequate protection.
6. A routine immunisation programme for HPV started on 1 September 2008 for 12-13 year old girls (school year 8).
7. A phased catch-up of girls aged up to 18 years of age was also implemented. In England, 17-18 year old girls were offered the vaccine during the 2008-09 academic year and 14-18 year old girls are offered the vaccine during the 2009-10 academic year.
8. Thereport was commissioned from the Health Protection Agency by the Department of Health.