Wednesday 18 June 2008
HPV vaccine can save lives - Brook welcomes details of the vaccination programme
Responding to the announcement today by the Department of Health of details of the human papillomavirus (HPV)vaccination programme Simon Blake, Chief Executive of Brook, said:
“Brook welcomes confirmation of the details of the HPV vaccination programme from September 2008 that will offer all girls aged 12–13 years vaccination against HPV viruses 16 and 18, the types that lead to increased risk of cervical cancer.
"It is crucial to give the vaccine to young people before they become sexually active. At least 10% of young women have HPV by the age of 161 which leads to increased risk of cervical cancer in women – the vaccine could save hundreds of lives each year.
"However, it is a shame that the Government decided not to take the opportunity to also protect young women against viruses HPV 6 and 11, the types that cause genital warts, this would have offered further protection for young people.”
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For further information please contact Natalie Collyer, Press Officer, on 020 7284 6062 or 07500 786 762
Notes
1. Figures released by the Health Protection Agency in September 2007.
Brook is the UK’s leading provider of sexual health services and advice for young people under 25. The charity has more than 40 years’ experience of working with young people and currently has a network of more than 50 services in 18 areas of the England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Jersey.
Brook services provide free and confidential sexual health information, contraception, pregnancy testing, advice and counselling, testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections and outreach and education work, reaching more than 200,000 young people every year. www.brook.org.uk.
