The beginning of September 2008 marked the start of a new immunisation programme across England and Wales. Cervarix, a vaccine designed to protect against cervical cancer, has been offered to all girls aged 12-13, with the intention that it will eventually be offered to all girls under the age of 18¹.

How does the vaccine work?

Cervarix is designed to prevent against infection by two types of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). This virus has over a hundred different types, and the vast majority of people have been infected by one type at some time in their life. Different types of HPV can cause no symptoms at all, live on your feet in the form of a verruca, or form warts, the most troublesome of which are warts in the genital or anal areas. A few specific types of the HPV virus can increase the risk of developing cervical cancer, and it is these specific types, known as HPV 16 and 18, that Cervarix targets.