A SPECIAL catch-up clinic is being held later this month to ensure young people who missed their routine HPV vaccination can still receive protection against several forms of cancer.
The Health Department has announced that the clinic will take place on Wednesday 25 June and is aimed at eligible young people from school Year 8 onwards who have not yet had the vaccine.
The vaccination programme was extended to boys in Jersey in September 2019 after being offered to girls since 2008.
The Human Papillomavirus vaccine helps protect against strains of the virus responsible for most cervical cancers, as well as some colorectal, genital, head and neck cancers. It also provides protection against genital warts.
The vaccine is administered as an injection and is routinely offered to pupils aged 12 to 13 in Year 8.
Evidence shows this is the age at which the vaccine is most effective, with the course given in two doses six months apart.
Females are now eligible to receive the vaccine from school Year 8 up until their 25th birthday. Males born on or after 1 September 2006 are also now also eligible from school Year 8 until they turn 25.
Health officials are encouraging anyone who is eligible and has yet to receive the vaccination to take advantage of the catch-up clinic.
Appointments can be booked by contacting the Immunisation team on 443741.
Further information about the HPV vaccination programme is available on the government website – gov.je.
