Teenage boys across Essex are being offered a vaccine to help protect them against cancer.
Nurses from the Essex Partnership University NHS Trust (EPUT) are visiting schools all over the county to deliver the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine.
The HPV vaccine protects against some cancers of the mouth, throat, anal and genital areas. It can also protect against genital warts and, in girls, also offers protection against cervical cancer.
Until now the vaccination has only been offered to girls but, as part of a national directive, the HPV vaccination scheme has been extended to include boys aged 12 and 13.
The government decision was made in July 2018 as a result of scientific evidence and advice from an independent panel of experts.
Students from two schools in Southend have been helping highlight the importance of the vaccine by appearing in a national campaign about the scheme. Photographs of boys and girls from Chase High School and Thorpe Hall School appear in leaflets and posters which are being distributed to schools across the country.
Working in partnership with local authorities across Essex, nurses from EPUT’s vaccination teams will be visiting schools from September to deliver vaccinations to boys whose parents have given prior consent.
Julie Thornton, Clinical Lead for immunisation services at EPUT, said: “HPV causes around 9,000 cancers each year in the UK, most of which can be prevented with the vaccine. Globally, HPV is responsible for five per cent of all cancers.
“For any parent or carer, there is nothing more important than safeguarding their child’s health so we would encourage them to discuss the importance of having the vaccine with their children.”
More information about HPV:
• HPV infections can be spread by any skin-to-skin contact and are usually found on the fingers, hands, mouth and genitals.
• The HPV vaccine works best if girls and boys get it before they become sexually active, to protect them through their teenage years and beyond.
• Unvaccinated, the virus can stay in the body for many years and then for no apparent reason, start to cause damage.
• The vaccine involves two injections, six months apart. Those receiving the vaccine over the age of 15, will need to have three doses. All injections are needed to be properly protected.
Anyone with questions about the HPV vaccination can contact their local immunisation team on the numbers below:
Colchester and Tendring – 01206 334530
Chelmsford and Maldon – 01376 302769
Uttlesford and Braintree – 01371 877417
Epping Forest and Harlow -01279 827141
Southend, Castle Point, Rayleigh and Rochford – 01702 220181
Basildon, Brentwood and Thurrock – 01375 364663
More information can also be found at on the NHS website.