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Cancer jabs set to hit a classroom near you

Denise Evans
9/10/2008

THE controversial ‘arm against cervical cancer campaign’ is on its way to secondary schools.

Girls across Middleton and Blackley aged between 12 and 13 will soon receive a vaccination against the disease in a bid to cut diagnosed cases by three-quarters.

Information packs have been sent to schools and parents to outline the details of the jabs which will be given in three doses every six months and are part of a national department of health initiative.

The campaign recently came under fire as St Monica’s RC High School in Bury refused to allow vaccinations to take place on the school premises after governors felt the jabs would ‘encourage sexual promiscuity’ - HPV is a sexually transmitted human virus, linked to cervical cancer.

The school was also concerned about possible side effects to the jabs and the fact that they would not take place in a sterile clinical setting.

But this view has been slammed by health chiefs.

The HPV, or human papillomavirus vaccine protects against the two types of HPV which cause more than 70 per cent of cervical cancer.

A spokesman for NHS Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale, said: "Everything is going fine with the campaign in the area and we have sent information letters concerning the vaccinations to parents. We have not had any problems so far and no complaints."

Eric Jackson, principal at St Anne’s Academy in Hollin Lane, added: "We are aware of the campaign and will be supporting it especially if it will benefit the future health of our pupils. We will send letters out to parents explaining everything and make sure that a school nurse is present during all vaccinations. We have been advised by medical experts that this is an effective way to prevent the disease. There will be support available at the school to pupils if they have any questions."

Our Lady’s RC Sports College in Blackley refused to comment on the subject.

Plant Hill Arts College, Blackley, Middleton Technology School and Cardinal Langley RC High School, Middleton were all unavailable for comment at the time of going to press.

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