healthscotland.com

The first Scottish uptake rates for the HPV vaccine (external website) are now available.

Provisional figures at mid-February 2009 show that overall uptake of the HPV vaccine among girls in second, fifth and sixth year of secondary school in Scotland is already 92.2% for the first dose and 87.8% for the second dose.

Launched in September 2008, the HPV Immunisation Programme intends to protect girls by routinely immunising them at around 12-13 years of age, with the aim of preventing them from developing cervical cancer later in life.

www.fightcervicalcancer.org.uk provides answers to an array of questions about cervical cancer and the HPV vaccine, as well as links to sites for the public to find out more about HPV.

The vaccine is designed to protect against the two types of HPV that can cause 70% of the cases of cervical cancer. It does not protect against all other types, so regular cervical screening is important.

A catch-up campaign for older girls will be carried out over a two to three-year period from September 2008. This measure will potentially protect 120,000 more teenage girls than had originally been anticipated.

This dedicated page contains a list of materials included in the HPV Professional Packs as well as further links and information. Printed versions of the professional packs have been distributed to a range of health and education professionals.

The Patient Group Direction (21 August 2008) has been developed by the national HPV Service Delivery Group to assist NHS boards and should be adapted in line with local clinical governance arrangements.

The Cervarix Patient Information Leaflet (external website) is contained in the box with the vaccine and should be given to girls when they receive their vaccine.

Page updated: 13 May 2009.