East Sussex HPV jab rates are below the national average

The HPV vaccine (human papillomavirus) protects girls from 80 per cent of cervical cancer cases. It also helps protect against some mouth and throat cancers, some cancers of the anal and genital areas, and genital warts. Find out more about the vaccine from the NHS here.

According to Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust, the jab rate for East Sussex is 10 per cent less than the UK average. The UK average of the vaccination is 68.1 per cent, but in the county it is only 58.3 per cent. MP Caroline Ansell attended an event the trust held in Westminster this month.

She said: “I am very concerned that more than a third of young girls in East Sussex are not getting this effective and safe vaccine that will greatly protect them from cervical cancer and I will be writing to the local immunisation team to understand the issues.

"East Sussex is broadly in line with the national picture in terms of screening tests – and for younger people actually higher but again a round third of women do not have a smear test. Cervical cancer is very treatable if caught early, so I do urge all women to go and have a smear test when called forward.”

A report by Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust found:

Only 17 per cent of professionals involved in the disease think enough is currently being done to eliminate cervical cancer in the UK.

Only 20 per cent think enough is being done to ensure high levels of HPV vaccine uptake.

Only 16 per cent believe that enough is being done to support cervical screening uptake.

Who is eligible for the HPV vaccine?

According to the NHS, girls and boys aged 12 to 13 years (born after September 1 2006) are offered the HPV vaccine as part of the NHS vaccination programme. In England, girls and boys aged 12 to 13 years are routinely offered the first HPV vaccination when they're in Year 8 at school. The second dose is offered six-24 months after the first dose.

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