Hundreds of girls without full dose of key vaccine
HUNDREDS of girls in Manchester were not fully vaccinated against the potentially cancer-causing HPV virus last year, new figures show.
Girls in England are offered free HPV jabs at school during Years 8 and 9, when they are aged between 12 and 14.
However, Public Health England figures show just 78.3 per cent of girls in Manchester were given the recommended two doses of the vaccine by the end of Year 9 in 2017-18 , below the national average, meaning 625 girls were left unprotected.
The HPV vaccination protects against the human papilloma virus, which is responsible for more than 99pc of cervical cancer cases as well as some other rarer cancers.
Cervical cancer charity Jo’s Trust stressed it was important ‘not to get complacent’ despite overall coverage remaining high.
Chief executive Robert Music said: “The vaccine is one of the best tools we have for preventing the disease. It prevents seven out of 10 cases of cervical cancer, so we absolutely encourage all young women to take it when offered.” According to the NHS, the vaccine works best when girls receive it before they become sexually active.
HPV can be spread through any kind of skin-to-skin contact, as well as through sexual intercourse.
England has seen declining rates of HPV vaccination over recent years, falling from 86.7pc in 2013-14 to 83.8pc last year.
PHE has suggested the decline could be due to an increased focus on flu vaccinations taking up the resources in some parts of the country.
However, a spokeswoman said the immunisation programme was still ‘one of the most successful around the world’ and had helped protect millions of girls since its launch in 2008.
Cancer Research UK said they expect to see a drop in cases of cervical cancer over the coming years.
Katie Patrick, from the charity, said: “The first group of girls to be vaccinated are now approaching the age where cervical cancer risk increases.
“It will be exciting to see the benefits of the vaccine.”
The minimum vaccination target set by PHE for local areas is 80pc, but local teams are encouraged to aim for 90pc or above.
Last year, coverage for Year 9s ranged from a low of 65.3pc in London’s Hammersmith and Fulham to a high of 94.3pc in North Yorkshire and Tameside, near Manchester.
HPV vaccines will also be rolled out to 12 and 13-year-old boys from next September.
Dr Mary Ramsay, head of immunisations at PHE, added: “Girls remain eligible for the vaccine until their 18th birthday and should speak to their GP or school nurse if they have missed one of their jabs.”