HPV vaccine catch-up clinics to take place on July 22
Secondary school children who missed out on receiving a vaccine that offers vital protection against several types of cancer are being invited to community catch-up clinics.
The Cardiff and Vale School Nursing Immunisation Team will be visiting Rookwood Hospital and Barry Hospital on Monday, 22 July to administer the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine to those in Years 8 to 11. Please see below for details of how to make an appointment.
The vaccine, which is routinely offered for free in school to all children aged 12 and 13, has proved highly effective at reducing the risk of getting HPV, a group of more than 100 viruses that are usually passed on through skin-to-skin contact.
Most people who become infected with HPV will clear the virus from their body and won’t become unwell, but for others it can cause genital warts or even develop into some types of cancer including cervical cancer in women and head and neck cancers that are most common in men.
HPV usually has no symptoms, which is why it is so easy to pass on. More than 70% of people who haven’t had the HPV vaccine will get HPV at some point in their life.
But to date the vaccine has proved very effective. Since it was introduced in 2008, it has reduced cervical cancer rates by almost 90% in women in their 20s.
Last spring, Cardiff and Vale UHB’s School Nursing Immunisation Team visited schools across the region to administer the HPV vaccine to Year 8s, along with those in Year 9, 10 and 11 who missed out in Year 8.
However, those in Years 8 to 11 who have still not received the vaccine can access it on the following dates and times:
· Monday, 22 July 2024, 10am-12pm: Rookwood Hospital, Fairwater Road, Cardiff CF5 2YN
· Monday, 22 July 2024, 10am-12pm: Barry Hospital, Colcot Road, Barry CF62 8YH
To make an appointment for the HPV vaccine, please contact the Immunisation Team on 02920 907661 or 02920 907664.
Earlier this year, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board teamed up with the Cardiff City Foundation to promote the importance of the HPV vaccine.