From Health Services Authority Cayman Islands

Public Health Officials wishes to advise that there has been a change in the schedule for the Human Papilloma Virus vaccine.

The Human Papilloma Virus Vaccine was introduced in the Cayman Islands Immunization Schedule in October 2012, to be administered to girls’ age 11-12 years to protect from viruses that cause cervical cancer. At the time of introduction, the vaccine was a 3 dose schedule over six months with the first one done at the time of the initial appointment with the other two doses at two months and six months after the first dose.

In the latter part of 2014, the World Health Organization has recommended a two dose schedule, six months apart is adequate for females under 15 years and continuation of a three dose schedule for females 15 years and older.

Currently, the HPV vaccine is offered to year 7 girls in the two Government high schools, John Gray and Clifton Hunter, and at the Public Health and District clinics for females not attending those institutions. Whilst the HPV vaccine is not mandatory, School Health Coordinator Nurse Joanna Rose Wright urges parents and guardians to have their young girls “take advantage of this cervical cancer prevention vaccination.” She added, “No child will be vaccinated without parental consent, and parents will have the opportunity to be present at the time of vaccination if they choose.”

While the vaccine is offered to girls in the government high schools, children between the ages of 11 – 17 from both government and private schools, accompanied by their parents, can get their HPV vaccination at the following Health Services Authority facilities: the Public Health Clinic at the Cayman Islands Hospital, West Bay and Bodden Town health centres, and Faith Hospital in Cayman Brac.

Appointments can be made by contacting the health centres.

Further information may be had by calling the Public Health Clinic on 244-2648. West Bay Health Centre on 949-3439; Bodden Town Health Centre on 947-2299; Faith Hospital on 948-2243 and Little Cayman Clinic on 948-0072.
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IMAGE: www.virology.wisc.edu

See iNews Cayman related story published February 24 2014 “HPV Vaccine is recommended for boys [not mandatory in Cayman]” at: http://www.ieyenews.com/wordpress/hpv-vaccine-is-recommended-for-boys-not-mandatory-in-cayman/