| Pupils at a number of secondary schools received the first of three doses of the Cervarix vaccine that attacks the human papilloma virus, the cause of cervical cancer.
The disease — the second most common cancer in women under 40 — affects around 30 women in Tayside each year and around 300 in Scotland as a whole.
Around 100 Scottish women die of cervical cancer each year.
In Tayside, the vaccine will initially be offered to 2250 girls aged 12 to 13 over the next six months.
A catch-up programme will then kick-in for girls currently aged between 13 and 17.
Cervarix, which costs around £300 per course, guards against the two main types of cervical cancer and will offer women protection in around 70% of cases.
NHS Tayside is overseeing the local vaccination programme and stressed there was no need for girls to feel any anxiety.
School Nurse Co-ordinator, Jeanette Cairns, said, “Girls should not feel nervous about coming for the vaccination.
“It is just a small injection into the arm that will protect them for many years against cervical cancer.
“We are used to delivering immunisation programmes in schools and will do our best to make any girl coming for the injection feel comfortable.
“We will also happily answer any questions girls may have or support them in any way we can.
“It is really important that girls take this opportunity to protect themselves against the virus which can cause cervical cancer.”
Dr Clare McKenzie, a consultant gynaecologist based at Ninewells Hospital, said the injections were an important safeguard against cervical cancer but she said regular screening was also important.
“The vaccine is fantastic news for preventing cervical cancer, but it can only be combated by using cervical screening and the vaccine,” she said.
“So when they are called for screening aged 20 they really must come along whether they have had the vaccine or not.”
She continued, “Here in Tayside we will see up to 30 cases of new cervical cancer a year.
“With the vaccine being up to 70% effective, we expect to see 21 fewer women a year.”
More information about cervical cancer and the HPV immunisation programme is available at www.fightcervicalcancer.org.uk or via the national helpline 0800 22 44 88. |
