Sefton girls warned to vaccinate against cervical cancer before they are 18

GIRLS reaching their 18th birthday are warned time is running out to protect themselves from cervical cancer.

To be eligible for three doses of the free vaccine, Sefton youngsters must have the first one before their 18th birthday.

Women born between September 1, 1990 and August 31, 1992 need to have their first HPV dose by August 31 this year and can do so by booking an appointment with their GP.

The HPV vaccine protects against the Human Papillomavirus, which causes 77 per cent of invasive cervical cancer.

Anjila Shah, public health registrar at NHS Sefton, said: “We want to ensure that every girl in Sefton who is eligible, has the opportunity to be vaccinated against HPV. The school programme is very successful but 17 and 18 year olds are harder to reach as they are either working or in college.”

source: Formby Times