26 January 2024
Children who are aged 12 and 13 in Year 8 are being offered the HPV vaccine from the end of January.
The Immunisations Team will be visiting schools to administer the vaccine, which protects against Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and certain types of cancer.
HPV is a very common virus that is transmitted through close skin to skin contact during any type of sexual activity with a man or woman. There are many different types of HPV, however, only some high-risk types can lead to cancer. High-risk HPV types are known to cause almost all cases of cervical cancer.
In men, high-risk HPV types can cause more rare cancers, such as cancer of the anus, penis, head, and neck.
The HPV vaccine is effective at stopping people getting the types of HPV infection that cause most cervical cancers, some anal and genital cancers, and cancers of the head and neck. Since the introduction of the vaccine, cervical cancer rates have reduced by almost 90% in women in their 20s who were offered it at ages 12 to 13.
Parents will be given consent forms through their child's school, which must be signed and returned in order for their child to receive the vaccine. The consent form can also be found online at gov.je/HPV.
Director of Public Health, Professor Peter Bradley, said: “Everyone has the potential to be affected by HPV and the easiest way to do something to reduce the risk of getting it is by getting vaccinated. The vaccine is safe and effective, so I encourage all parents with children in Year 8 to give consent for their children to be protected against HPV."
More information, including the school vaccine timetable, can be found at gov.je/HPV
gov.je