Shropshire and Telford and Wrekin among best in country for providing vaccination against cervical cancer
News from our partners Shropshire Community Health NHS Trust
The uptake of a vaccination that reduces the risk of cervical cancer is well above the national average in Shropshire and Telford and Wrekin, according to new figures issued by Public Health England.
The figures show that 93.5% of girls in Shropshire aged 12 to 13 received all three doses of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine from September 2012-August 2013, while 91.3% received the full course in Telford and Wrekin. This is compared to the national average of 86.1%.
All girls aged 12 to 13 are offered the HPV vaccine as part of the NHS childhood vaccination programme. The vaccine protects against the two types of HPV responsible for more than 70% of cervical cancers in the UK.
According to Cancer Research UK, cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women under the age of 35. In the UK, 2,900 women a year are diagnosed with cervical cancer.
The HPV vaccine is delivered largely through secondary schools, and consists of three injections over a period of 12 months. The vaccines are supplied by NHS England and administered by the school nurse service, which is provided by Shropshire Community Health NHS Trust and supported by Shropshire Council and Telford and Wrekin Council.
Jo France, School Nurse Manager for Shropshire Community Health NHS Trust, said:
“We are really pleased with this outcome. A concerted effort has been made by the school nursing team in conjunction with Carole Hales, HPV Co-ordinator, and administrative staff in supporting and co-ordinating a very successful HPV programme. This programme is significantly helping to protect young people against cervical cancer.”
Karen Calder, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for health, said:
“This is excellent news for Shropshire; the HPV programme has been such an important breakthrough in the fight against cancer. Cervical cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer in young women, and it is crucial that young girls protect themselves as early as they can.”
Councillor Richard Overton, Telford and Wrekin Council’s Cabinet member for public health and public protection, said:
“It is excellent news that the take up in Telford and Wrekin has exceeded the national average ,and we are committed to doing all we can to encourage as many girls as possible to ensure they are protected by having the HPV vaccine.”
For more information about the HPV vaccination visit http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/vaccinations/Pages/hpv-human-papillomavirus-vaccine.aspx.
Further information
Shropshire Community Health NHS Trust is the NHS organisation responsible for providing community health services to the people of Shropshire and Telford and Wrekin.
