July 24, 2012 1.35 pm This story is over 140 months old

Young women urged to get HPV vaccine

Reminder: It’s not too late for females under 22 to get their HPV vaccine, according to NHS Lincolnshire.

Women aged 14-22 are being advised to visit their GP during the summer break if they think they may have missed the HPV vaccine.

The scheme started at schools in 2008 for the HPV vaccine, also known as the cervical cancer jab, to protect women from two types of human papilloma virus.

HPV is the cause of 70% of cervical cancers discovered.

Girls are given three injections to provide ultimate protection from HPV, so there is a chance of injection being missed.

NHS Lincolnshire are reming under 22s that if they believe they did not get the vaccine or missed an injection, its not too late.

Janine Rayfield, Nurse Consultant Public Protection for NHS Lincolnshire said: “It is important that females between the ages of 14-22 who think they may not have had all three HPV injections to contact their GP surgery.

“Many females in this age range will taking a summer break from school, college or university so it’s a good opportunity to get the vaccine.

“Girls can contact their GP practice to arrange to complete their course of three injections, which will give them the best possible protection against cervical cancer causing viruses.

“Doses may have been missed for a variety of reasons but what is important is that it is not too late.

“We are working closely with GP surgeries as part of a catch up programme to ensure that females who have not completed the course can still get vaccinated.

“If you’re not entirely sure we would urge you to get in contact with your GP practice to discuss.

“Because the vaccine does not protect against all of the other types of HPV, women will still need to have a smear test from 25 years of age.

“Your GP will invite you for the cervical screening that picks up early signs of changes in the cervix.”

Source: NHS Lincolnshire