Isle of Man launched the Human Papillloma Virus (HPV) vaccination programme three years ago.  Under this programme, the HPV vaccination was offered to all girls in the 12 – 18 age group.
 
The vaccine which is being used is called Cervarix and offers protection against cervical cancer.  From September 2012, a different brand of vaccine called Gardasil, which offers protection against cervical cancer and genital warts will be used.
 
Dr Parameswaran Kishore Director of Public Health, said:
“Our initial focus was to introduce a vaccine which will offer protection against cervical cancer and Cervarix was the most cost effective option.  However the manufacturers of the other brand of vaccine, Gardasil, have recently been able to offer their vaccine at a competitive price which meant that this vaccine can be used for vaccination of girls aged 12 – 13 from September 2012.  Gardasil will offer equal protection against cervical cancer but will also protect against two of the common strains of virus causing genital warts”.
 
Jacqui Dunn, Health Protection Nurse and Manager of the IOM Vaccination Programme, said:
“We have had a great success with the HPV vaccination programme with uptake receiving 90% and we would like to continue to achieve such high rates of uptake.  Gardasil will be administered exactly as the previous vaccine, Cervarix”.

-ENDS-