HPV Vaccine

A vaccine has been developed to protect people from certain strains of human papilloma virus (HPV). There are two main vaccine types:

• One vaccine protects against HPV strains 16 and 18.
• The other vaccine protects against HPV strains 16 and 18 as well as strains 6 and 11.

HPV strains 16 and 18 are thought to be responsible for 70% of cervical cancer cases; strains 6 and 11 cause visible genital warts.
In September 2008 a vaccination programme begins for girls aged 12 and 13 years, in September 2009 a catch-up programme will begin for girls aged up to 18 years.
For the vaccination to be effective 3 doses must be given on separate occasions. The government has decided to use the vaccine which will protect against strains 16 and 18 for these programmes, though the other vaccine is available privately.