Minister praises cervical cancer vaccine uptake

The Health Minister has praised the high uptake of the cervical cancer vaccine in Northern Ireland.

Since the vaccination programme was introduced here last year, 89% of Year 9 girls received the first dose, with 85% and 83% receiving the second and third doses.

Speaking at Bloomfield Collegiate School in Belfast, Michael McGimpsey said: “Cervical cancer is a disease which kills around 40 women every year in Northern Ireland. For this reason, the vaccination programme is very important.

“I welcome the fact that the Northern Ireland uptake for the vaccination is extremely high, which means 12 and 13 year old girls and their parents, realise the importance of this vaccination in the fight against cervical cancer.

“The vaccination programme for this year is already underway throughout schools. This vaccination is about saving lives and preventing the suffering and distress caused by cancer. I would ask all parents to continue to support the vaccination programme and to give consent for their daughters to have the vaccine this year.”

Notes to Editors:

1. Around 1,000 women die from cervical cancer in the UK each year. This cancer is caused by the human papilliomavirus or HPV, which is spread from one person to another during sexual activity (not necessarily sexual intercourse). Both men and women can become infected with this virus. There are over 100 types of HPV but only 13 of these are known to cause cervical cancer and just two types, types 16 and 18, cause over 70% of the cases.

2. The HPV vaccine will protect against types 16 and 18 which are the two most common types causing cervical cancer. The vaccine will not protect against the remaining cancer causing types, so it will be vital that in future those who have been vaccinated continue to go for routine cervical screening.

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