The Ministry for Health has announced today that the Government will be making available a free service programme to vaccinate all 12-year-old girls against cervical cancer.

The Health Minister, Joe Cassar said this morning that this was another significant step in helping to protect women from this type of cancer.

Dr Cassar said that the initial investment will be €250,000 and urged that all girls who are asked to have the vaccination, should do so immediately. A notification request to participate will be sent to the parents of girls who are eligible. He said this is a move forward in the national strategy on promoting sexual health as well as preventing cancer.

The Minister continued by saying that the vaccine will be fee in health centres for girls aged 12, before the young person becomes sexually active.

Cancer of the cervix can be caused by some types of “Human Papillomavirus” virus. The vaccine, which will be effective and safe, will give protection from some of types of this virus, while at the same time reduce not only the risk of infection but also the risk of contracting cancer of the cervix. Dr Cassar said that the vaccine will not remove the need for screening, with improvments to this service to take place.

Dr Natasha Azzopardi Muscat, who is the Chief Medical Officer at Mater Dei, said that the Health Department decided that it would be better to give the vaccinations at Health Centres rather that at school, to enable parents of the girl to accompany her.

The vaccination is administered in three doses, the first dose, the second is followed one month later and the third after five months.

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