Posted 10 August 2016 - 08:08
Posted 10 August 2016 - 08:08
News
HPV vaccine pilot launched in England
A vaccine against Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is being offered to men who have sex with men in a pilot scheme in England.
The Gardasil vaccine is available to men up to the age of 45 via selected clinics. Image: SPL
A vaccine against human papillomavirus (HPV) is being offered to men who have sex with men in a pilot scheme in England.
Public Health England is making Gardasil available to men up to and including 45 years old via selected genito-urinary medicine and HIV clinics.
The programme is designed to reduce the rate of genital warts and certain cancers associated with HPV infection.
Immediate protection
Girls aged 12-13 have been eligible for Gardasil since 2008 – 750,000 receiving at least one dose - which has been proved to protect against warts immediately and the future risk of cancer.
The vaccine is administered in three doses over four to12 months for over 15 year olds, while those under 15 only need two taken six months apart.
If successful, the pilot will be rolled out across the UK.
A leaflet about the programme and a vaccine record card are both available via Public Health England’s website.
Public Health England HPV pilot programme