Teenagers in England to receive just one dose of HPV vaccination

From September, teenagers in England will be offered a single dose of the HPV jab instead of two, in line with latest evidence and recommendations already in place throughout Scotland.

Global studies suggest one dose is adequate to provide enough protection against a range of cancers, including cervical cancer.

School pupils are offered the vaccine when they are aged around 11 to 13.

There are over 100 different types of HPV and infections are usually symptomless, although some types can cause warts on feet, hands, inside the mouth or on genitals.

In most cases, the virus disappears without treatment, but high-risk types can cause abnormal tissue growth that can lead to cancers.

The HPV vaccine protects against nearly all cases of cervical cancer, most anal cancers, and some head and neck and genital cancers – studies suggest it is very effective, cutting cases of cervical cancer by nearly 90 per cent.

UK Health Security Agency immunisation consultant epidemiologist Dr Vanessa Saliba said “The HPV-vaccination programme is one of the most successful in the world and has dramatically lowered the rates of cervical cancer and harmful infections in both women and men – preventing many cancers and saving lives.

“The latest evidence shows that one dose provides protection as robust as two doses.  This is excellent news for young people.”

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Posted by Karen Motley, Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (jacquelinevance@chadlaw.co.uk), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.

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