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ITN
Girls 'to get cancer jab'
Girls 'to get cancer jab'
Young girls could be given a vaccine that might help cut cases of cervical cancer by up to 70 per cent.The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) suggested the use of jabs to protect against the sexually transmitted infection human papillomavirus (HPV), which can lead to cervical cancer.The Department of Health said it had agreed "in principle" to vaccinate girls aged around 12 to 13 - subject to an independent "cost benefit analysis" and that an immunisation programme could start in the autumn of next year.It said: "Cases of cervical cancer will be reduced by up to 70 per cent with the introduction of a new vaccine into the national immunisation programme."The vaccine is controversial because it is designed to be given to girls before they become sexually active. Some critics have argued that vaccinating against HPV might promote sexual promiscuity.Public Health Minister Caroline Flint said: "It is great news that vaccines have been developed that protect women against this form of cancer and I am delighted to announce that we intend, in principle, to introduce a HPV vaccine into the national immunisation programme."She added: "The benefits of introducing this vaccine will be felt by women and their families for generations to come."Dr Lesley Walker, Cancer Research UK's director of cancer information, said: "This announcement is an important step forward in preventing more cases of cervical cancer."Studies suggest that the vaccine can prevent the majority of cervical cancers."Each year around 2,800 British women are diagnosed with cervical cancer and more than 1,000 die from the disease.There are currently two jabs to protect against cervical cancer - Cervarix, which has yet to receive a licence for use in the UK, and Gardasil, which has been available in the UK since October.© Independent Television News Limited 2007. All rights reserved.
ITN | June 20, 2007
