Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) immunisation programme

Introduction

There is now a vaccine to help protect against cervical cancer.   The HPV immunisation programme started on 1 September 2008.  All girls in Scotland who are in S2 will be offered this vaccine as part of a routine immunisation programme. It will help protect them against the two main types of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) that can cause cervical cancer.

Girls aged 13 to 18 (born after 1 September 1990) are also being invited to receive the vaccine through a catch-up programme, phased over three years (2209-2010).

Around 1000 women die from cervical cancer in the UK each year, and it is the second most common cancer in women worldwide. In Scotland around 100 women die from cervical cancer each year.

Information about the HPV immunisation programme was issued to girls in school during August and September 2008. You can find out more at the Fight Cervical Cancer website.

You can also watch the TV advert, listen to the radio adverts and watch a DVD which provides answers to questions about cervical cancer and the HPV immunisation programme.

When will girls be immunised?

The HPV immunisation will be routinely offered to all girls in S2 each September. The one-off catch-up programme will be phased over three years as follows:

• Girls in S5 and S6 will be offered immunisation during 2008/2009. Girls aged 16 and 17 who have left school will be contacted by their local NHS early in 2009.
• Girls currently in S3 and S4 will be offered the HPV immunisation from September 2009.
• The third year of the catch-up (2010) will focus on girls who have not completed or started their immunisation.

Girls who left school at Christmas will be sent a letter from their local NHS in early 2009 to make arrangements for any missed or incomplete doses.  Girls need three separate doses of the HPV vaccine to give them the best protection.  In the unlikely event girls have not been contacted by their local NHS by the end of February 2009 they should call the HPV helpline on 0800 22 44 88. 

How will girls be immunised?

Girls will need three separate injections over a four to six month period to get the best protection. The vaccine will be given in the upper arm. The immunisation programme is largely school-based, and the majority of girls will be given the immunisation in school by a nurse.

Although the schedule may vary slightly from school to school, most schools will have five visits. This consists of three visits for the planned schedule of three doses, with two additional shorter 'mop up' sessions for girls who have missed a dose. This will help to maximise the number of girls who complete the full course within the recommended period.

The decision to start the programme in September 2008 was made to help minimise disruption to curriculum delivery, and to avoid the exam period as far as possible. Most girls should receive all three of their immunisations within the first six months of the programme.

Consent

All girls returning to school from their summer break will be given a consent form and leaflet (relevant to their age group). Girls in S2 will also be given a question-and-answer booklet for their parent or carer. Girls should discuss the information in the leaflet with their parent or carer before agreeing to have the immunisation. If a girl is aged under 16, her parent or carer is being asked to sign the consent form.

For more information about consent, see the leaflet Consent - your rights available from Health Rights Information Service.

If a girl is aged 16 or over she is being asked to sign and return the consent form herself. If any girl, parent or carer has any questions about the immunisation they should speak to a nurse or doctor. You can download an example of the consent form girls will receive in school.

Curriculum for Excellence

The HPV immunisation programme operates within the context of school and community. Partnership work is essential for its success. This involves local health services, schools, girls in the age range described, and parents and carers. Awareness raising and provision of appropriate information are key.

Working with their communities, schools have the potential to increase understanding about public health campaigns like the HPV immunisation programme among staff, young people and all school users. Links can be made within the health and wellbeing component of Curriculum for Excellence, for example relationships, sexual health and parenthood, and with citizenship and other curriculum areas such as sciences and social studies.

Sharing practice

Have you used any of the HPV resources in your lessons? Have you created resources of your own? Please get in touch if you would like to share your good practice and resources with other schools/teachers.

Health Protection Scotland is responsible for co-ordinating this programme on behalf of the Scottish Government, and has been working with local NHS health boards to develop implementation plans for each area.

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