Grammar student Gabbi Gervaise-Brazier, 18, getting her first of three HPV vaccine injections from school nurse Karen Belton. (Picture by Peter Frankland, 0852827)

MORE than 400 Grammar School girls yesterday received the HPV vaccine for cervical cancer.

As they lined up for the first of three jabs, the atmosphere was apprehensive.

While most girls approached the injection calmly, tears and cries were heard from a few.

Sixth form head Tina Watson said many of the girls in Years 12 and 13 had opted to have it.

‘For some, having a vaccine is quite a stressful event but most had it without too many problems.

‘They have made the decision that the HPV jab is a good thing to have but are worried about what the injection is like,’ she said.

A 14-year-old girl with a serious underlying health condition died in the UK after having the vaccine.

Statistics indicate that the vaccine reduces the risk of cervical cancer by 70%. The cancer causes more than 200,000 deaths a year worldwide, with 949 in the UK in 2006.

Mrs Watson said the Health Information Service and the school nurse had been providing reassurance and any students with a high temperature had their jab postponed.

Gabbi Gervaise-Brazier, 18, said she was glad to have had the vaccine. ‘I would rather have it now than find out I’ve got cancer later. When I found out about the girl dying I didn’t want to do it, but it wasn’t anything to do with the injection,’ she said.