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Schools Immunisation Program On Cervical Cancer StartsLatrobe City Council's health services team commenced its schools’ immunisation program to counter cervical cancer on Monday, with students at Traralgon Secondary Senior College being the first in By Latrobe City Council - 27th April 2007 - Back to News in the municipality to receive their vaccinations.
Council will be vaccinating approximately 1300 girls who attend secondary schools in Latrobe City with their initial dose of the CSL cervical cancer (HPV) vaccine ‘Gardasil’ over the next fortnight. The students are in years 7, 10, 11 and 12.
Latrobe City’s manager health services, Andrew Mackintosh, said follow up immunisations are given two and five months after the initial dose.
The Commonwealth Government is funding the cervical cancer vaccine for girls and women aged 12 to 26 from 2007, with the school immunisation program to counter cervical cancer generally being administered by local government across Victoria.
In Victoria the HPV vaccine will be funded for females only for 12 to 13 years as part of a Year 7 secondary school program; for 13 to 18 years (catch-up secondary school immunisation program (funded for 2 years); and for 18 to 26 years (catch-up funded for 2 years).
"The catch-up program for 18 to 26 year olds will be implemented primarily by general practitioners, however it is expected that councils will be able to provide the vaccine for this age group as well," Mr Mackintosh said.
"Genital human papillomavirus (HPV) is a common and usually asymptomatic infection. It is highly contagious and many people will acquire an HPV infection within a few years of becoming sexually active. Most people clear that HPV infection within 12-24 months," Mr Mackintosh explained.
"Of the 40 genital HPV types, 15 are classified as ‘high risk’ types, of which two (16 and 18) are most common. High risk types can establish persistent cervical infection (in about 3 -10% of infected women) which in turn can result in cervical abnormalities which, in some cases, will progress to cervical cancer.
"HPV vaccines are prophylactic only and will not treat existing HPV infection or disease.
"Gardasil vaccine provides 90 -100% protection against persistent infection and cervical/genital disease due to HPV types16 and 18 (which cause 70 -80% of cervical cancers in Australia) and HPV types 6 and 11 (which cause 90% of genital warts).
"The most important preventive strategy against cervical cancer for women who are sexually active is two yearly Pap screening. Women who have received a HPV vaccine still require two yearly Pap screening, because the vaccine does not provide protection against all HPV types," Mr Mackintosh added.
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: news@gippsland.com
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