Young people who may have missed a routine vaccination designed to protect against several forms of cancer are being invited to a special catch-up clinic later this month.
Health and Care Jersey has announced that the clinic will be held on Wednesday 25 June and will be open to eligible young people from school Year 8 onwards who have not yet received the vaccine.
The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine protects against strains of the virus responsible for the majority of cervical cancers, as well as some anal, genital, head and neck cancers. It also offers protection against genital warts.
Young people are eligible to receive the vaccine from Year 8 until their 25th birthday. The vaccine is routinely offered to pupils aged 12 to 13, with evidence showing this is the age at which it is most effective.
The course consists of two doses administered six months apart.
Jersey first introduced the vaccine for females in 2008, before extending the programme to males in September 2019.
According to health authorities, HPV is a common virus that is spread through close skin-to-skin contact.
While most infections do not cause symptoms and clear up naturally, some strains can persist and increase the risk of developing certain cancers later in life.
Vaccination programmes around the world have been credited with significantly reducing HPV infections and the diseases associated with them, making early protection an important part of cancer prevention.
Health officials are urging anyone who is eligible but has yet to be vaccinated to take advantage of the upcoming clinic.
Appointments can be booked by contacting the Immunisation team on 443741.
Further information about the HPV vaccination programme is available on the Government of Jersey website.