Manchester gets first vaccinations against cancer virus
October 2007Girls aged 12-13 in Greater Manchester are the first in the UK to be offered immunisation against the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) – which causes 70% of cervical cancer cases – thanks to a University of Manchester study.
The Department of Health plans to introduce vaccination against HPV throughout England. In preparation for this, Dr Loretta Brabin has secured funding from Glaxo Smith Kline (GSK), one of the two vaccine manufacturers, to run a pilot study to examine the logistics of delivering three doses of a vaccine within a six month period and to investigate parents’ attitudes towards HPV vaccination.
All secondary schools in Bury and Stockport have been invited to participate in the pilot and it is anticipated that approximately 3,300 Year 8 schoolgirls will be invited for immunisation – giving them protection against most forms of cervical cancer.
Dr Brabin, of the Cancer Studies Research Group, said: “I conducted a survey of parental attitudes last year that showed 80% of parents in Greater Manchester to be in favour of vaccinating their daughters.
“It is very important for parents to have their say about the new vaccine and to have an opportunity to have their questions answered. We are asking the parents of girls involved in this study to complete a questionnaire giving us their views on the vaccination programme. Our pilot study will no doubt learn lessons that will help pave the way for a smooth introduction of the national immunisation programme next year.”
Dr Rosemary McCann, the Health Protection Agency’s North West Immunisation Lead, said: “We are delighted to support this important pilot study. Immunisation against disease in the best gift that any parent can give to a child. We expect that this study will provide us with important information to support the implementation of the national programme.”
Dr Lesley Turnbull, Cervical Screening Director for the North West, agreed: “Approximately 3,000 new cases of cervical cancer are diagnosed in Britain and 1,100 women die from the disease each year. The HPV vaccination programme will inevitably reduce this terrible burden of disease and it will save lives. However, it is still vitally important for women to attend for smear tests.”
