N I Needs Schoolgirl Cancer Jab

A leading Northern Ireland campaigner on cancer prevention and care has welcomed news of a new vaccine that will be offered to young girls nationally.

Arlene Spiers, Chief Executive of the Ulster Cancer Foundation (UCF) commented on the cervical cancer vaccine which has been recommended for an NHS immunisation programme.

“This is an exciting and encouraging step towards preventing cervical cancer and a range of other diseases, however we are disappointed that no formal announcements have been made locally to ensure that girls aged 12-13 have access to this vaccination.

“We would encourage our Health Minister Michael McGimpsey to implement a similar programme here in Northern Ireland, to ensure that local women have the same accessibility and quality of preventative care as the rest of the UK.

“The Ulster Cancer Foundation hopes that this is not a further indication of under funding in our health service.

"This is of particular concern following the speculation of health service under-funding in the executive’s draft budget for Northern Ireland and one which I hope is addressed urgently.

“Although this vaccination is costly - at £300 per girl - compared to others, it is a small price to pay to prevent this serious disease," she said.

However, the move has already proved controversal in Great Britain as girls as young as 12 will be offered the vaccination against a sexually transmitted disease which has in turn been linked to cervical cancer.

While the news has been welcomed by cancer charities, some critics of the scheme have expressed concerns that it could encourage promiscuity.

However, the health authorities believe that vaccinating girls against the human papillomavirus (HPV) before they become sexually active could help reduce the number of cases of cervical cancer.

Research has shown that the virus is one of the key causes of the disease, which kills around 1,000 women each year.

Girls aged 12 - 13 will be eligible for the vaccine next year, which is a voluntary scheme, and there is the possibility of a catch-up campaign, for older girls, possibly only up to the age of 16 or 18.

Two vaccines have been developed against HPV - Gardasil and Cevarix. Both cost around £300 for three injections given over a six-month period. It has not yet been decided which vaccine will be used.

Routine vaccinations against the virus have already begun in some US states and other European countries, including Switzerland, Germany, Italy, France and Belgium, have already approved a vaccination programme.

(KMcA)(BMcC)