Free cancer jabs for island girls

The vaccine is being given out through a school's programme

School nurses in Guernsey are trying to ensure girls aged 17 and 18 know they could have a free cervical cancer vaccination.

The vaccination against human papillomavirus (HPV),which causes cervical cancer, is being given to all girls through a school programme.

However, those who have left school but were born between 1 September 1990 and 31 August 1997 can get a free jab.

Free sessions are being held for those who are eligible to receive the jab.

'Very common cancer'

"It is important that girls take the opportunity to help to protect themselves from cervical cancer," said Debbie Pittman, head of child health and family support services.

"A series of three jabs can help protect against a very common and serious cancer and we are keen to hear from any girls who left school before the jabs were available."

No appointments are needed for the free sessions held on Saturday 10 October between 1400-1700 BST at the Family Planning Clinic in the Pollet and next Thursday 15 October between 0830-1300 BST at Lukis House in the Grange.

More than 1.4 million doses of the HPV vaccine have been given out and there have been some minor reactions reported, such as headache, nausea, dizziness and soreness at the injection site.

There are more than 100 types of HPV but only 13 of them are known to cause cancer.

Cervarix, licensed for use in Europe since September 2007, protects against two strains of HPV that cause more than 70% of cervical cancer cases.

In the UK, about 3,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer every year and about 1,000 die from it.