RCN supports HPV vaccination programme
Published: 22 July 2008
The RCN has offered its support to the extension of the national vaccination programme against HPV (human papilloma virus). The College has, however questioned whether there are enough trained school nurses in post to facilitate the programme.
The Department of Health has confirmed that the programme will start in September 2008 and offer a routine vaccination to girls aged 12 to 13 years. A catch up programme will also see the vaccination extended to older teenage girls.
Fiona Smith, RCN Adviser in Children and Young People’s Nursing said:
“We welcome the HPV immunisation programme, which will deliver health benefits for young girls and women, now and in the future and support the moves to improve public health by preventing cervical cancer.
We would question, however, whether the Government has allocated sufficient resources to Health organisations to roll out the immunisation programme and if there are enough school nurses to do this. Education and training is required for the school nurse workforce on HPV itself. It’s not only a question of administering a jab: school nurses are trained to deal with young people and will be able to answer their queries in an appropriate and informed way”.
The Department of Health say that the vaccination will save up to 400 lives for each year of girls receiving the vaccine.