Pioneering jabs, from the left: nurse Shelly Insull, pupils Genevieve Bougourd and Levi Chatterton. (Picture by Tom Tardif, 0647180)

PUPILS at Les Beaucamps High School yesterday became the first girls in the island to receive the cervical cancer jab. The Year 8 students were given the first stage of the human papilloma virus injections as part of the island-wide immunisation scheme.

In a month’s time a second injection will be given with a third in six months. All three are needed to ensure pupils are fully immunised. Debbie Pittman, head of child health and family support services, explained the importance of the vaccination.

‘The virus itself is very common and most people will be infected at some point in their lifetime. There are over 100 types of these human papilloma viruses but only 13 of them are known to cause cancer.  This vaccine protects against the two types of virus that cause most – over 70% – of the cases of cancer, so by having the vaccination you will reduce the risk of getting cervical cancer by 70%.’

Mrs Pittman said that the vaccine was more effective if given to girls before they become sexually active – before they could have been infected with HPV.