Free Gardasil vaccinations begin for Queensland students

The first of approximately 84,000 Queensland secondary schoolgirls today received free vaccinations against the virus causing cervical cancer.

Health Minister Stephen Robertson was at Springwood State High School to watch the first roll-out of the vaccine in Queensland.

“Female students in Years 10, 11 and 12 at secondary schools throughout Queensland will be offered the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccine progressively from today,” he said.

“This breakthrough vaccine was first developed by Queenslander of the Year Professor Ian Frazer and will potentially save thousands of lives.

“It protects against four strains of HPV. Two of these strains cause up to 80% of cervical cancers in Australia. The other two strains cause over 90% of genital warts in Australia.

“Students who have parental consent will receive a series of three injections over a period of four to six months.”

Mr Robertson said the vaccine would be progressively available over the next three months at every secondary school through Queensland Health’s Schools Based Vaccination Program.

“Queensland Health has so far finalised arrangements with approximately 500 schools to offer the HPV vaccine to students. Other schools are still finalising their arrangements.

“It’s going to be available in all secondary schools whether they are government, private or independent.

“Students in the Logan, Cairns, Townsville, Caboolture, Moranbah, Toowoomba, Warwick, Wondai, Dalby, Blackall, Kingaroy, Deception Bay, Pine Rivers, Boonah and Gold Coast areas are among those to be offered the vaccine during April.

“Students in Brisbane and other areas of the State will begin their vaccination programs during May.”

Mr Robertson said Gardasil offers the most effective protection against HPV if it is administered to females before they become sexually active.

“Although cervical cancer is the most preventable of cancers, latest figures show 153 Queensland women were diagnosed with it in 2003, just over a quarter of whom died.

“A separate HPV vaccination program for females aged 18-26 years and those girls aged 13-18 not attending school will be conducted through local GPs commencing in mid 2007.

“We also encourage all Queensland females to continue to have regular Pap smears even if they are vaccinated against HPV.”

Mr Robertson said the Schools Based Vaccination Program was the largest of its magnitude ever undertaken in Queensland.

“The program also offers immunisation for hepatitis B and chickenpox for all Year 8 children, plus vaccination for diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough to all Year 10 students.

“The way schools have embraced the program reflects the commitment of the education sector and vaccine service providers in working collaboratively with Queensland Health to potentially save many young lives.

“Queensland Health has been able to introduce it with the cooperation of not only schools, but local governments, general practitioners and other health service providers.

“Vaccinations deliver major savings to the health system but, more importantly, it will protect the lives of thousands of students at no cost to parents,” he said.

NOTE: The Commonwealth advises Gardasil is not registered for use in women older than 26 years as there is no evidence to support its efficacy or safety in these women. For these women, the best way to avoid cervical cancer is to participate in cervical cancer screening through regular Pap smears.

MEDIA: Paul Lynch 3234 1190