Today (4 March) is HPV Awareness Day, and we’re encouraging all parents and carers to learn more about the HPV vaccine which is offered to children in year 8 through our School Aged Immunisation Service.
The HPV vaccine protects against cancers caused by the human papillomavirus, including cervical, anal, penile, vulva, vaginal and some head and neck cancers. It has an excellent safety record and is used worldwide.
The NHS HPV vaccination programme in England has also been shown to have dramatically lowered HPV infections and rates of cervical cancer in vaccine-eligible women, with the strongest effects seen in those offered vaccination at younger ages.
Sirona care & health is commissioned by the NHS to deliver the national school-aged immunisation programmes for childhood flu, HPV, Meningococcal ACWY, and the Diphtheria, Tetanus and Polio booster (Td/IPV) across Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset.
Parents and carers will receive a consent form from our School Aged Immunisation Service before they visit your child’s school. You will need to return the completed consent form (online or printed) for your child to receive their HPV vaccine at school. Children who do not attend school or are home-educated will be contacted by the local authority.
If your child missed their vaccination, they may still be eligible for a catch?up dose. Please contact our School Aged Immunisation Service at sirona.sch-imms@nhs.net or your GP.
The HPV vaccine is given in the arm. You can find more information about the HPV vaccine at www.nhs.uk/vaccinations/hpv-vaccine/.
