HPV Vaccinations

All students in Year 8 will be soon be offered the HPV vaccination in school. The Human Papillomavirus Vaccine (HPV) helps to protect against:

•                    Cervical Cancer

•                    Some mouth and throat (head and neck) cancers

•                    Some cancers of the anal and genital areas

•                    Genital warts

This is given as 2 injections in to the upper arm and is spaced 6 – 12 months apart. To be fully protected two doses are required, one is available in Year 8 and one in Year 9. From September 2019 all children aged 12 – 13 years old will be offered the first dose of this vaccination. This October we will be vaccinating Year 9 girls the 2nd dose and Year 8 Girls and Boys in April 2020. All vaccinations are carried out on school site by the nursing team.

Over 80 million people worldwide have received the HPV vaccine; a study has shown that as a result there has been a 71% reduction in pre-cancerous cervical disease in women and a huge decline in the number of young adults with genital warts.

Before the children can be vaccinated consent forms and detailed information leaflets are sent out to parents/carers which need to be completed and returned. Please do talk to your child/children about these injections, including protection and possible side effects.

If you have any queries regarding vaccinating your child please contact Emma Harvey, Student Services Coordinator, or visit the NHS website to access the information leaflet: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/hpv-vaccine-vaccination-guide-leaflet