Borough teens first to trial new vaccination

4:30pm Monday 21st July 2008

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HUNDREDS of teenage girls in Bury have been among the first in the country to receive a life-saving vaccination The vaccine will guard against the two strains of the HPV virus (Human Papillomavirus) which causes 70 per cent of cases of cervical cancer, the second most common cancer in women worldwide.

A total of 703 girls from 15 schools in Bury were vaccinated in the trial, and the jabs will now be carried out nationwide next year.

Bury Primary Care Trust’s school nursing team was one of only two in the country – Stockport was the other – to undertake the initial immunisation programme in association with a Manchester University research group that recorded feedback on practicalities of delivering the jab.

The Bury nursing team was praised for their role in the project at a celebratory event held at Fairways Lodge and Leisure Club in Prestwich earlier this month.

Director of Public Health Peter Elton told them: “The flexibility and willingness you showed by taking part in such a big scale and influential pilot is a credit to you and in years to come.

“When cervical cancer rates plummet, you will know you were the ones who helped to do it.”

Loretta Brabin, Reader in women’s health at Manchester University, who presented feedback from the study, added: “The study would not have been so successful had it not been for the enthusiasm and dedication of the Bury school nursing team.”

Nationally, the HPV vaccine could save the lives of 400 women a year.