VACCINATION reforms which came into force to protect young girls from cervical cancer have been hailed as a leap in the right direction by medics - after latest NHS figures revealed more than 80 per cent of those eligible in Barnsley received their jab.
The change to a single-dose human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine has led to more year eight girls in Barnsley receiving the jab in the last school year, after the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) reviewed evidence gathered over several years before putting the changes forward.
It was previously offered to all 12 to 13 year olds in schools and community clinics in two doses and although uptake levels for the first were high, getting youngsters back for the all-important top-up dwindled after the Covid-19 pandemic.
Figures from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) show 81.6 per cent of year eight girls in Barnsley received the HPV jab in the 2023/24 academic year, higher than the national average of 71.3 per cent.
Steve Russell, national director for screening and vaccinations at the NHS, said: “The HPV vaccination programme in England has been shown to have dramatically lowered infections and rates of cervical cancer in vaccine-eligible women, with the strongest effects seen in those offered vaccination at younger ages.
“This is another leap forward - it saves lives by significantly reducing the risk of cervical cancer.
“With one quick HPV jab now making it simpler than ever to reduce your risk of cancers caused by the virus, it’s so important that people come forward when invited.
“Along with getting the HPV vaccine, it is also still vital to book in for a cervical screening appointment, which checks for high-risk HPV and remains one of the best ways to protect people from cervical cancer.”
Last year the NHS pledged to eliminate cervical cancer by 2040 by making it as easy as possible for people to get the life-saving HPV vaccination and increasing the screening uptake by allaying women’s concerns over the procedure.
Dr Vanessa Saliba, from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), said: “The HPV vaccination programme is one of the most successful in the world and has dramatically lowered the rates of cervical cancer and harmful infections in both women and men preventing many cancers and saving lives.
The latest evidence shows that one dose provides protection as robust as 2 doses. This is excellent news for young people.
If you missed your HPV vaccine, it is vital you get protected.
“Contact your school nurse, school immunisation team or GP practice to arrange an appointment - you remain eligible to receive the vaccine until your 25th birthday.”
Barnsley South MP Stephanie Peacock - who is also a former teacher - backed the move and urged those eligible to come forward.
“There are lots of ways to reduce your risk factor for cervical cancer, including eating a healthy diet and quitting smoking,” she told the Chronicle.
“However, the most important preventative measures are having your HPV vaccination and attending your cervical cancer screening when contacted by your GP.
“Nearly all incidences of cervical cancer are accompanied by presence of a dangerous strain of the HPV virus.
“Having your vaccination prevents this dangerous strain, and recent findings show that vaccinated females have seen a 90 per cent reduction in cervical cancer.
“As with all cancers, if you are experiencing symptoms or if something doesn’t feel right, get in touch with your GP and check it out.
“Let’s fight back against cervical cancer and save lives here in Barnsley.”
