PRESS RELEASE

Friday 26 October 2007

Leading cervical cancer charity “absolutely delighted” at HPV immunisation announcement

The leading cervical cancer charity Jo’s Trust has responded to the announcement by the UK expert group on vaccines (the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation) that the Human papillomavirus vaccine that protects against the causes of cervical cancer should be offered to all girls up to 18 years of age.

“We are absolutely delighted by the Committee’s statement that young women up to 18 years of age will be offered vaccination against HPV. This will protect them from at least 70% of all cervical cancers. We will encourage young women and mothers of young girls to accept the offer of vaccination when it is made alongside a very strong message for all women to continue to attend for regular cervical screening.

“However, we remain concerned that the JCVI has not acknowledged a vulnerable age group; the 18 to 26 year old. This age group falls outside the proposed national vaccination programme as well as the national screening programme in England and Northern Ireland, whose first invitation to young women to attend for a smear test is when they are aged 25. These young women will continue to be exposed to the dangers of HPV. The committee and the Government should act now to offer all women up to 26 the opportunity to self-refer to their GP and receive the vaccine free of charge.”

Ends

For further information contact

Pamela Morton 01327 341965, 07980 720061 or at pamela@Jotrust.co.uk

Notes to Editors

Jo’s Trust www.jotrust.co.uk is a registered charity established in 1999 by James Maxwell in memory of his wife Jo who died of cervical cancer.

It is dedicated to women, their families and friends affected by pre-cancer and cancer of the cervix

Jo’s Trusts objectives are

• To raise the public profile and understanding of the causes of pre-cancer and cervical cancer and how they can be prevented and overcome
• To create greater awareness of the importance of having regular cervical screening
• To campaign for improved preventative, diagnostic and therapeutic procedures for cervical cancer