What is Human papillomavirus (HPV)?

Human papillomavirus is a virus that infects the deepest layer of the skin , which could include the lining of the cervix. There are about 100 types of HPV, around 40 of which infect the genital area. Of these, 13 are known to cause cervical cancer, and two of these (types 16 and 18) cause over 70% of all cases.

The HPV vaccine protects against the two virus types that cause over 70% of cervical cancer. The vaccine will not protect against all of the other 30% of cancer-causing types. Therefore, girls will still need to go for routine screening tests to check for cancer when they are older.
Having the vaccine reduces the risk of women getting cervical cancer by around 70%

Who is the vaccine for?

From the beginning of the 2008/9 school year, girls aged 12 and 13 will be offered the HPV vaccine in year 8 of school. Three injections will be needed over a period of about six months. During 2009 and 2010 there is proposed to be a catch-up programme, so all girls leaving school after 2010 will have been protected against cervical cancer later in life. The Department of Health announced on the 21st July 2008, that young women aged 17-18 years will also be offered the HPV vaccine from September 2008.

How will the HPV programme be delivered in Wandsworth?

The programme in Wandsworth will be delivered through schools. Three visits will be made to each school between October – May each academic year to deliver the programme to girls in year 8. Many 17-18 year olds are not in School and the method of delivery detailed above for younger girls may not suit this age group. The PCT is currently making the necessary plans to ensure this cohort of girls have access to the vaccine. These plans will be announced in due course.

Cervical Screening

The introduction of this vaccination programme is not an alternative to the highly successful and comprehensive national cervical screening programme. This will continue after the introduction of the vaccine programme because the vaccine does not provide protection against all strains of the virus which cause cervical cancer.
For more information on HPV look at the HPV section on the NHS Immunisation Information website at www.immunisation.nhs.uk/HPV 

For more information on Wandsworth’s HPV programme you can contact the Betty Attipoe, Wandsworth Teaching PCT Immunisation Nurse Lead, on 020 8812 5029 or at betty.attipoe@wpct.nhs.uk

The following HPV resources have been produced by the Department of Health

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