A thirteen year old London girl has become the first in the country to receive the cervical cancer vaccine. The vaccine, Gardasil, launched in Britain last week, protects against the main viruses that cause cervical cancer. Gardasil targets the human papilloma viruses (HPV), which can be transmitted through sex.
Hollie Anderson's mother, Lisa, had the vaccine given to her daughter privately after seeing her own mother battle against cancer. She did this because the government has not yet issued a guidance on which groups will be routinely immunized. Mothers are taking their daughters to private clinics instead to get the vaccination. Dr. George Kassianos, the Royal College of General Practioners' immunization spokesman said: "This vaccine is available on prescription today, but patients should wait for the Department of Health to give us guidance. Everyone agrees that this is a great leap forward. I would ask that department to fast track a decision".
There are 2,800 new cases of cervical cancer diagnosed in Britain every year. About 1,000 women will die of the disease. Mrs. Anderson said "When I found out from our doctor that these injections were becoming available it wasn't a difficult decision to make" I asked Hollie and she said she wanted it. it was her decision. Afterwards she said 'Thank you mum, I know you're protecting me against a disease'.
