Development of the HPV vaccine
It has taken many years to develop a vaccine to protect against the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV).
A vaccine is a way of making the body’s immune system produce antibodies that will fight off a virus. Cervical screening can detect cell changes, but can’t prevent infection in the first place.
Clinical trials are studies that are performed to assess if a new vaccine works well and is safe to use. Thousands of girls and women of different ages took part in the clinical trials of the new vaccine against HPV.
These trials found that the vaccine offers nearly 100% protection against infection with the high-risk types of HPV in girls who haven’t previously been infected with the virus. Also, no serious side effects were seen.
Immunisation can prevent girls getting HPV types 16 and 18, the most common cause of cervical cancer, for at least six years – this figure is based on the length of the trials. It is expected the vaccine will last even longer, probably more than 20 years.
Find out more about the clinical trials and how the vaccine works.
HPV vaccines are licensed for use in countries around the world. Millions of girls have already had HPV jabs in the United States, Australia and other countries.
The European Medicines Agency has licensed the vaccine for girls aged 10-25 in Scotland and the rest of Europe.
In Scotland, the vaccine will be offered routinely to girls in their second year of secondary school (S2), who are aged 12-13. This follows advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (the independent expert body which advises the UK Government, the Scottish Government and other devolved administrations). In addition, from 1 September 2008 all 13 to 17 year-old girls in Scotland will also be invited to receive the HPV vaccine through a one-off three-year catch-up campaign.
England (external link), Wales and Northern Ireland are starting similar HPV immunisation programmes at around the same time. Older girls in Scotland will have access to the vaccine earlier than in England and Wales where the catch-up campaign will start in September 2009.
