Ireland’s eye: Happenings around the Auld Sod

THE majority of young girls at one Omagh school will go ahead and be vaccinated against the HPV.

The Tyrone Herald spoke to one local grammar school, where they are expecting a 98% take up of the vaccination program.

Some 360 schoolgirls at Loreto Grammar in years nine, 10 and 11 are eligible to have the vaccine administered over the next six months.

The roll out of the school based national program will see young girls vaccinated against the human papilloma virus (HPV), which together with the cervical screening program will reduce their risk of developing cervical cancer.

Of the 12-14 year olds eligible at Loreto for the vaccine, 98% have said they will have the vaccine, according to school nurse Denise Harper, who acknowledged that she had received some queries from parents after the death of a 14-year-old English schoolgirl who had received the vaccine. It was later determined that the girl died from a malignant tumor in her chest.

"The situation in England was unfortunate but we only had four queries from parents," she told us.

The first dose of Cervarix will be administered to girls aged 12 and upwards at the school next week.

They will then receive a second dose in one month's time, and the third and final dose five months later.

Harper, whose 17-year-old daughter is due to have her third jab, said she understands the concerns of parents who have decided against having their child vaccinated.

"Having the vaccine is really a matter of parental choice and of course a decision by the children themselves whether or not to have the vaccine,” she said.

"The greatest concern expressed is that giving the vaccine at age 12 is much too early, but most parents have opted to go ahead."

Girls may avail of the vaccine at a later date if they wish to do so.

Health experts believe that in order to provide the most protection the vaccine must be given before sexual activity begins, which is why the program is being rolled out for 12 year olds.

 

Tyrone Herald

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Nster.com