During next week, girls attending public high schools in the Cayman Islands can receive free vaccines for the cervical cancer causing Human Papillomavirus.
The virus, commonly known as HPV, is the leading cause of cervical cancer and is the most prevalent sexually transmitted infection.
From 10am to noon throughout the week, girls ages 11 and 12 in Year 7 can get the vaccine from school nurses.
The vaccination, which is not mandatory, involves three injections given over six months – at the time of the appointment, two months after the first dose and six months after the first dose.
The Gardasil vaccine, which is the form of the vaccination available in Cayman, can protect against some of the most common types of HPV that can lead to cancer.
Parents of children within the target age range should have received letters this week advising them of the process and requesting confirmation of consent for the child to be given the vaccination. The letters should be returned to the child’s teacher by Thursday, 1 November.
While the vaccine is initially offered to girls in government high schools, children between the ages of 11 and 17 from government and private schools, accompanied by their parents, can get their HPV vaccination at some public health clinics.
The virus, commonly known as HPV, is the leading cause of cervical cancer and is the most prevalent sexually transmitted infection.