Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
General health

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

Cervical Cancer vaccine

21 replies

PuddingChops · 18/02/2009 14:28

This subject (cervical cancer) is very high profile at the moment. Why are ALL teenage girls not being given the opportunity to have this vaccine? It seems to be only certain areas only. My dd has been given NO info at school about this at all. Can it be done privately?

OP posts:
Meglet · 18/02/2009 14:34

I saw news reports that said that certain religous schools didn't want to do it. Other than that I thought all girls were having it. You could go to your GP if the school aren't doing it.

fattiemumma · 18/02/2009 14:35

it is being rolled out for all year 9 pupils over the next year.

NorthernLurker · 18/02/2009 14:37

I hope all schools are offering it. If not I will certainly pay for my girls to have it at the appropriate age. I

Original poster
PuddingChops · 18/02/2009 14:40

Year 9? What about older teenage girls 15+?

OP posts:
Original poster
PuddingChops · 18/02/2009 14:41

Can it be given to older girls?

OP posts:
CaptainKarvol · 18/02/2009 14:42

They are doing a catch up campaign to cover the 13-18 year olds. The schedule is here

fattiemumma · 18/02/2009 14:42

sadly it is beign offered to girls in year 9 because if the girls are already sexually active they may have already contracted the HPV virus and therefor it would be useless.
the feeling is that it would be more likely to have a better usccess rate with teh year 9's.

if you have an older teen you can get the vaccine from your Gp.

Sidge · 18/02/2009 14:42

They are all getting it, or will be getting it in year 8.

There is a catch up programme for older girls going on through your GP (Years 12 and 13).

Some schools won't offer it (some faith schools and private schools) so you can ask your GP for it if your daughter is in Year 8, 12 or 13.

More info here

Original poster
PuddingChops · 18/02/2009 14:53

Thank you for the info ladies - seems like my dd will be hearing something shortly.

OP posts:
Sidge · 18/02/2009 15:17

What year is she in PuddingChops?

If she's Year 8 she should have had 2 of her vaccines by now. If she's Year 7 she'll start getting them in September/October.

Lotster · 18/02/2009 15:19

So annoying they won't give it to older girls, using the HPV as a blanket excuse, it's not the only cause...

Another sad thing is our government chose, unlike the rest of Europe, to go with the cheaper and less effective of the two available vaccines they could have bought. Think when it's my daughter's turn I might look in to trying to pay for an upgrade to the more effective one, having had pre-cancerous cells removed myself.

Original poster
PuddingChops · 18/02/2009 16:00

Sidge - shes in yr 12.

OP posts:
fattiemumma · 18/02/2009 17:21

LOTSTER - the HPV isn't an excuse. its what the vaccine is designed to do. its not a cure against cervical cancer, its to prevent HPV.

Sidge · 18/02/2009 17:24

She will have to get it from her GP PuddingChops - they may be running dedicated clinics, or may just let you make an appointment.

Lotster - older girls can have it at the discretion of their GP, many will prescribe it. And many will prescribe Gardasil if you ask nicely - the price is exactly the same to the NHS.

lockets · 18/02/2009 17:26

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Lotster · 18/02/2009 18:37

Sorry, just re-read my post from earlier, it doesn't make sense, I understand and agree that's what the vaccine's for.
I meant to talk about the lack of smear tests for younger women and how HPV is talked about like it's the only cause. But that was in my head, sorry, very pregnant, fuzzy brain!

lessonlearned · 18/02/2009 21:58

I tried to get it for my 18yr old daughter and was told it was not available from the Gp. I offered to pay and was quoted £150 per injection times 2.
The reason was that the first role out was only in schools and the GP did not keep it in stock!
If it is available in other areas, please give me details as I am now furious - I have had cervical cancer FFS and would have thought the least they could do is give accurate information!

Suedonim · 18/02/2009 22:09

According to a sexual health HP I know, it's worth having the vaccine even if a girl has had HPV because there's more than one strain. So she can be protected against the strains she hasn't has.

Is Gardasil the one that protests against multiple strains? My dd wants to be vax-ed.

lessonlearned · 18/02/2009 22:20

Thanks for the links, folks.
Although I checked the sites at the time (last autumn) I thoiught that there had been fresh info due to the advice from other posters.
I am still gutted that my DD has missed the chance by 5 months, but I'm glad that other are getting the vaccine.

seb1 · 18/02/2009 22:28

NHS Scotland info there is a link to info for England at bottom.

Sunshinesmith · 09/03/2009 11:49

action-cervical-cancer-vaccine.html

I have also read that in various european countries there hundred of girls suffering also from convulsions, coma, etc...

Also adverse reactions in the USA.

A bit worrying...

New posts on this thread. Refresh page