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Have the jab, girls
Parents must help arm their daughters in the battle against cervical cancer.
That was the warning from health bosses in Sunderland who are highlighting the importance of the HPV jab.
They were speaking as part of European Cervical Cancer Prevention Week.
The national HPV vaccination programme started in September 2008 and all 12 and 13-year-old girls are being offered the jab. It protects against the two strains of HPV (human papillomavirus) that cause cervical cancer in more than 70 per cent of women.
The vaccination programme is being delivered by school nurses across Sunderland.
So far 1,445 girls in Sunderland have been vaccinated, which is a take-up rate of 89 per cent.
A catch-up programme for all 13 to 18-year-olds is also being delivered by doctors' surgeries. Women in this age range are being urged to contact their GP as soon as possible to make an appointment.
Dr Faisal Al Durrah, consultant in public health medicine at NHS South of Tyne and Wear, which covers Sunderland TPCT, said: "Although it is highly unlikely that the girls are at risk at the age when we are giving them the vaccine, it is important that they get this protection now to protect them in the future.
"It is estimated that the vaccine will save 400 lives in the UK every year and I would urge every young woman who is offered the vaccine to take it.
"Young women aged between 13 and 18 can get the vaccination from their GP and I would encourage them to book an appointment as soon as possible."
More than half of all women who have sex will be infected with HPV at some point in their life. Most cases are harmless or cause genital warts, but some types can cause cervical cancer.
Dr Al Durrah, said: "Unprotected sex, particularly under the age of 18, is thought to be one of the main risks in terms of developing cervical cancer, so the use of condoms is strongly recommended.
"It is also still very important that all women decide to go for cervical screening from the age of 25, whether or not they've had the vaccine."
For more information about the HPV vaccine, log on to the website www.immunisation.nhs.uk/Vaccines/HPV
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Weather for Sunderland
Wednesday 08 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: -2 C to 2 C
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