Letter sent home to parents of all Year 7 girls.

July 2008

Dear Parent/Carer

The Department of Health has introduced a national programme to offer vaccination against HPV to girls aged 12 to 13 years of age.

The annual national HPV vaccination programme for girls aged 12-13 years of age (Year 8) will begin in autumn 2008.  There will be a national catch-up programme for girls aged 16-18 years of age from autumn 2009 and for girls aged 15-17 years of age from autumn 2010.

The Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) infects the deeper layers of the skin and the lining of the mouth and vagina.  There are over one hundred different types of HPV, of which 40 infect the genital area. The infections are usually asymptomatic and resolve spontaneously, but if the infection persists then the infection may lead to cancer.  Anyone who is sexually active is at risk.  The risk of infection increases with the number of sexual partners.  HPV is spread by direct physical contact not only through sexual intercourse.  By the age of 50 almost 75% of women will have been infected.

HPV causes almost all cases of invasive cervical cancer, but two strains account for 70% of cases.  The vaccines developed protect women from these two viruses and reduce their future risk of cervical cancer.

The vaccination programme is being offered through schools and will begin in Longhill in the autumn term, when Year 8 girls (currently Year 7) will be offered the vaccination.

Next term further information will be sent out to parents/carers, including parental permission slips. On Tuesday 15 July, during Year 7 subject surgery, the school nurse – Sarah Millar – will be available to answer any questions about HPV and the vaccination programme.

Yours sincerely

Jon Wilson
(Head of PSHE)