Year 8 girls to be given new cancer vaccine next term

By Gemma Hockey

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.’

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