Cervical Cancer Immunisation
Cervical cancer is cancer of the cervix (the lower part of the uterus that connects to the vagina).
Cervical cancer is caused by certain types of HPV. When a female becomes infected with certain types of HPV and the virus doesn’t go away on its own, abnormal cells can develop in the lining of the cervix. If not discovered early and treated, these abnormal cells can become cervical pre-cancers and then cancer.
Gardasil is the only vaccine that may help guard against diseases caused by HPV Types 16 and 18, which cause 70% of cervical cancer cases, and HPV Types 6 and 11, which cause 90% of genital warts cases.
HPV Types 16 and 18 cause 70% of cervical cancer cases, and HPV Types 6 and 11 cause 90% of genital warts cases.
Gardasil may not fully protect everyone and does not prevent all types of cervical cancer, so it is important to continue regular cervical cancer screenings. Gardasil will not treat cervical cancer and genital warts and will not protect against diseases caused by other HPV types.
GARDASIL is given as 3 injections over 6 months and can cause pain, swelling, itching, and redness at the injection site, fever, nausea, and dizziness.
Gardasil is for young women ages 9 years to 26 years old. The NHS cervical cancer immunisation programme uses the HPV vaccine that covers 2 of the main viruses responsible for cervical cancer. We only immunise using Gardasil due to its broader anti viral action.
There is an age restriction on the NHS, currently young women aged between 16 years and 18 years old from autumn 2009, and young women aged between 15 years and 17 years old from autumn 2010 will be treated.
We are happy to immunise all young women from the age of 9 years to 26 years old as indicated by the Gardasil licence.
Cost (full 3 injection course inclusive of all fees): £500.00
For more information and to see if you or your daughter is eligible for the NHS catch up programme, view the NHS Website.
