MORE than 6,000 young girls have been vaccinated against a potentially fatal virus since the introduction of an immunisation programme.
The programme against Human Papilloma Virus was launched in 2008 – and 6,318 girls have now been protected in the city.
It is the first time that figures for immunisation against the virus have been released. And the statistics show that the amount of girls protected has risen from 78 per cent in 2008 to 90 per cent last year.
Health professionals are now targeting improvements that will see 100 per cent of girls
The virus can cause cells in the cervix to change gradually over time, leading to the formation of pre-cancerous cells. In some cases they can lead to cancer. In the UK, all 12 to 13-year-old girls are offered the vaccination through the national HPV immunisation programme.
In Nottingham, the vaccinations are administered by school nurses who are employed by Nottingham CityCare Partnership, a social enterprise which provides community health services.
Team manager for school nurses at the partnership Sheila Munks said the uptake in vaccination was encouraging.
Mrs Munks, who has worked on the school nurses team for 30 years, said: "Since launching the programme in Nottingham we have seen a steady increase in the number of girls being vaccinated against HPV.
"This vaccine is very important as it can prevent girls getting the virus, which as we saw in the case of celebrity Jade Goody, can sadly be fatal."
Despite the progress, Mrs Munks said there are still issues with the virus in society.
She added "There is still some misconception about the vaccination. The virus can be passed on through sexual contact and sexually active people are more likely to get it.
"Some parents therefore see the vaccination as giving out the wrong message about sex, but we counter this by explaining the vaccine is the most effective way to combat the virus before a girl becomes sexually active, hence the target age of 12 to 13-year-olds."
Mrs Munks added that the aim was to reach 100 per cent of girls in the city with the vaccination.
She said: "We are working to reach as many girls as possible before the virus enters their bodies and so far we are doing very well.
"We also stress the importance of having regular smear tests, as having the vaccine does not mean that in later life you don't need to go for smears – you do.
"The vaccine and smears combined give us the best chance of beating cervical cancer."