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Help To Make An Informed Decision
Media information For immediate release
Date: 5 March
2009
Help To Make An Informed Decision
Young Waikato women and their families have access to on the spot medical advice about the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine.
Waikato District Health Board has an HPV section on its website, where people can email medical officer of health Dr Felicity Dumble with any queries or comments about the vaccine programme.
In addition to having a particular interest in immunisations, Dr Dumble is also the mother of two daughters; one of whom is eligible for the immunisation programme this year, which kicks off in intermediate and secondary schools throughout the Waikato DHB region from 16 March.
"It is so important that we make all the information people need about this vaccine readily available to them, which is what we hope to do by adding this communication channel to our programme," said Dr Dumble.
"All girls will be encouraged to speak to their parents and caregivers about the immunisation and to make an informed decision.
"I hope that having this discreet and direct link to local medical advice will also help girls and their families to make the right choices for them."
For those who cannot access the website www.waikatodhb.govt.nz for one-on-one advice, the Ministry of Health also has a free help and advice line available: 0800 IMMUNE (466863).
As well as an advice link, the Waikato DHB website also provides some commentary from Dr Dumble, a fact sheet, general information and other contacts for information about the vaccine.
HPV is the virus which causes 99 per cent of cervical cancers, and two strains of this virus (types 16 and 18) cause seven out of 10 cervical cancers. From 16 March, Waikato girls and young women can receive immunisation against these strains free of charge.
The three-course vaccine would normally cost $450.
It will be routine to offer all year eight girls (about 12 years old) the vaccine from this year onwards, while 13-18-year-old girls can also receive the vaccine in a catch-up programme throughout this year.
Public health nurses are visiting all participating schools to give out programme information and consent forms.
Girls aged under 16 will need consent to receive the vaccine, while girls aged 16 and older are able to complete and return the forms themselves.
Those who do not want to be, or are unable to be, immunised at school, can receive the free immunisation from their doctor, family planning clinic or local health provider.
"This immunisation provides our daughters with an opportunity to protect themselves against the strains of Human Papillomavirus that causes most cervical cancer," said Ministry of Health clinical lead for immunisations Dr Greg Simmons.
"In the long-term the programme has the potential to save about 30 lives per year in New Zealand."
The vaccine for this programme in New Zealand is Gardasil.
Following clinical trials, licences are now in place in more than 100 countries throughout the world, including Australia, USA, Canada and the UK.
The immunisation is a series of three injections in the upper arm, usually over a six-month period.
As with all immunisations, common reactions include pain at the injection site, redness and swelling and sometimes a raised temperature. Less commonly, there are reports of dizziness or fainting.
The beginning of the school-based programme next month is an extension of the HPV immunisation programme, which began in September 2008 when all girls born in 1990 and 1991 could be immunised free, at their local health provider.
ENDS
Waikato District Health Board
Healthy People. Excellent Care
Waikato District Health Board (DHB) employs over 6500 people and plans, funds and provides hospital and health services to more than 391,770 people in a region covering eight per cent of New Zealand.
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