A VACCINATION programme that could prevent over two-thirds of cervical cancer cases in the Bailiwick will start soon.
It was announced in December that, following additional resources, the Health and Social Services Department would be able to offer the human papilloma virus vaccination programme in parallel with the UK. The virus is known to be implicated in the development of most cases of cervical cancer. The HPV vaccination, if given before girls become sexually active, offers the potential to dramatically decrease the number of new cases of cervical cancer in Guernsey and Alderney.
‘We are grateful to the Treasury and Resources Department for granting us the additional funds necessary to start this important programme, said director of public health Dr David Jeffs.
‘To get maximum benefit from the limited funding, the Immunisation Advisory Group has recommended purchasing our vaccine supplies through the NHS at a considerable discount and to run our campaign in parallel with theirs in order to take advantage of their considerable advertising and promotion in the national media.’
The Department of Health in London recently announced that it had decided in favour of the vaccine Cervarix, manufactured by GlaxoSmithKline, in preference to its competitor Gardasil.
Cervarix protects against papilloma viruses 16 and 18, which are responsible for about 70% of all cervical cancers in England.
Provided that sufficient supplies arrive in time, the school nurses will start administering the vaccine to all girls in Year 8-, 12-13 years old, at the start of the autumn term.
‘We have already been in touch with the complementary health educators employed by the Education Department and also with various secondary schools regarding our proposed programme,’ said health visiting and school nursing services manager Debbie Pittman.
‘Full details will be given to the girls and their parents, while the school nurses and complementary health educators will be available to answer any questions prior to obtaining their informed consent,’ she said.
Article posted on 17th July, 2008 - 1.00pm
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